NHTSA Announces Pathways to Safer Streets at Lifesavers Conference

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Good morning, everyone. It is an honor to stand before this room full of people who wake up every day with the same singular, driving purpose: to make sure that our fellow Americans make it home to their loved ones. Looking around this room, I see the architects of a safer future. I see the people who stay up late wondering, “How can we reach one more teenager? How can we prevent one more impaired driver from getting behind the wheel? How can we help one more parent put their child in the appropriate restraint system? And, collectively, how can we design a system that leverages scarce human and financial resources to save the most lives?”

We share a mission that is as simple as it is profound: to maximize the likelihood that every person who sets out on our roadways arrives at their destination safely. I want to acknowledge the weight of the work you do. I know that for many of you, this isn't just a job; it’s a calling—many driven by your own personal tragedy. You are the ones on the ground—the law enforcement officers, the EMS clinicians, the state safety officials, and the advocates—who see the real human cost of roadway crashes. You know that behind every statistic, there are shattered lives forever changed, an empty chair at a dinner table, and memories tragically split into the before and after.

While we are in the midst of a traffic safety crisis, your work is making a difference. Our most recent data show a steepening decrease in overall traffic fatalities. That is progress, and it is a testament to your relentless hard work. But progress is not the same as success. Tens of thousands of lives are still lost every year. And as long as that number is anything other than zero, we cannot call this system safe, we can only call it improved.

Today, I’m not just here to give you an update or applaud your work. I’m here to ask for your partnership in a way that is deeper and more collaborative than ever before. To reach our goal of zero deaths, we have to be willing to change the way we do business. We have to break down the silos that have traditionally kept us apart, because while each of your individual missions are critically important, right now, too often, we are operating like separate lanes of traffic when we could be more effective functioning as a single coordinated system.

We all answer to someone and we have a shared commitment to making sure our programs work, public money is well spent, and that we are answering the call to save as many lives as possible. At NHTSA, we are committed to being more than just a regulator or a grant-maker. We want to be an active partner. We are looking to be less inward looking and more outward looking—opening our doors wider because we know that the best ideas for saving lives don't start in a nice building in Washington, DC; they start with your lived experiences, in your communities, in your patrol cars, and in your ambulances. I want to hear your "great ideas"—even the ones that seem unconventional—and I want us to work together to turn those ideas into life-saving actions across our great nation.

This spirit—leveraging innovation and collaboration into action—is what is driving what I’d like to get to next. Since the start of this Administration, Secretary Duffy has directed NHTSA—a very willing NHTSA, I might add—to re-engage law enforcement to target the primary causes of roadway deaths: impairment, speeding, distraction, and a lack of seat belt use. We’ve made strides, and now it’s time to build on that foundation.

I am proud to formally announce our Pathways to Safer Streets (P2SS) initiative. Pathways to Safer Streets is our roadmap to reaching our traffic safety destination, and we hope that you’ll all join us on our journey. These pathways are not separate initiatives, but intersecting pieces of the same system. And each pathway depends on the others to work. This marks the most extensive and comprehensive behavioral traffic safety initiative in NHTSA’s history, and I’m proud to share some of it with you today.

The first pathway and cornerstone of this plan is simple: active re-engagement with law enforcement. We are moving past the era where leaders pulled back support and canceled programs. At NHTSA, under Secretary Sean Duffy and the Trump Administration, we fundamentally reject that approach because it Just. Does. Not. Work. We fully endorse getting back to vigorous, effective traffic enforcement and we sincerely thank and appreciate our law enforcement community for their great work and the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.

To put it simply: we cannot save lives without enforcing laws around impaired driving, distraction, speeding, and seat belt use. We are working across the DOT—with the FMCSA and FHWA—to restore grants, enhance partnerships, and launch new public service awards to honor exemplary service.

In addition to speaking at conferences like this one and collaborating publicly with law enforcement organizations, I’m meeting privately with law enforcement leaders across the country, we are planning another “Coffee with Cops” event during National Police Week in May, and hosting a dedicated Law Enforcement Summit to keep this momentum going.  We want to hear from law enforcement what we can do to help them accomplish our mutual goals—they are the ones putting their lives on the lines so that all of our missions can be accomplished.

I am also pleased to highlight our recent announcement that NHTSA is again fully supporting the Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) initiative. Crime and traffic violations often happen together; using data to put scarce resources exactly where they are needed and when they are needed Just. Makes. Sense.

We’ve increased training for state and local prosecutors and judges to ensure that when an officer makes a stop, there are real consequences. We also continue our vital partnership with the DOJ Community Oriented Policing Services Office, offering virtual training on everything from a refresher on advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and drug recognition expert testimony to a new upcoming course on combatting human trafficking.

We’re also doubling down on high-visibility enforcement campaigns like Put the Phone Away or Pay and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over which work because enforcement plus education is a winning formula.

We see law enforcement as "Local Heroes" who would rather intervene now than respond to a fatality later. States like Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia have led the way with campaigns that humanize the badge, and we encourage every state to follow their lead.

We will never take for granted the dangers faced by law enforcement. NHTSA is proud to collaborate with the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and Below100 to provide life-saving roadway safety training.

We are also championing “Move Over” laws nationwide. Moving over isn't just the right thing to do; it’s the law. Visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov for free resources to help educate the public and protect those who protect us.

We're also looking for new and innovative ways to support traffic enforcement programs, and while I can’t quite provide specifics today, keep an eye out as we hope to advertise new opportunities soon.

Approximately one-third of all roadway fatalities involve someone who chose to get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or—increasingly—both. To drive these numbers down, the second pathway of the P2SS plan focuses on two critical fronts: aggressive enforcement and smarter use of data.

We are working to end the era of impaired drivers "falling through the cracks" of our judicial system. NHTSA recently released the Impaired Driving Tracking System Readiness Guide. This is a step-by-step roadmap to help states link every arrest directly to court outcomes, treatment, and recovery. By tracking offenders from the moment of the stop, we hope to finally stop the cycle of recidivism. If you have judges and prosecutors who plea down impaired driving cases, we have judges and prosecutors who can work with them to educate them on the dangers of impaired driving and likelihood of recidivism. I can’t tell you how sick I am to read headlines about yet another life ended by a drunk driver who continued to slip through the cracks after multiple arrests and nights in the drunk tank with no prosecution and no licensure discipline.

We also know that ignition interlocks are a proven tool to stop repeat offenders. We’re stepping up our public support for such programs in the states. We are also promoting "compliance-based removal," ensuring that offenders only get their full driving privileges back once they’ve proven they can drive sober. We know that mental health treatment is a big part of this puzzle and will be driving its importance home.

Our team is currently finalizing a landmark report regarding effectively dealing with substance use disorders among ignition interlock users. We are targeting its release later this summer with our consistent reminder: while we enjoy time off with friends and family, we must do so responsibly.

We are giving states better tools to identify drug-impaired drivers. We have expanded our toxicology liaisons to all 50 states and D.C., standardizing drug testing levels across labs and reducing processing times. We’re also supporting the use of oral fluid devices to test for the presence of THC and other substances on the spot. Look for our soon-to-be-published best practices guide to help your local programs implement this technology effectively.

Just yesterday here at Lifesavers, we brought together judges, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, and toxicologists to collaborate on these very issues. Whether it’s virtual training for prosecutors or the expansion of the toxicology liaison program, we are proud to support the experts who keep our roads safe.

The crash safety physics behind the next pathway are pretty simple: when a car is in a crash the occupant protection system requires everybody to be appropriately positioned and restrained. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to improve your chances of surviving a crash and minimizing or avoiding serious injury. Yet, nearly 50% of vehicle occupant fatalities—year after year—involve people who chose not to wear a seat belt. While some cite the 91% seatbelt use statistic, we know that number is for daytime use, is only for front seat occupants, and is measured right after the Click It or Ticket campaign. In parts of the U.S., mainly the South, that number is much worse, and passenger and back seat usage across the country drops as low as 60%.

Changing this one behavior—especially among young men in rural communities—could be a game-changer for saving lives.

So, our third pathway focuses on putting resources where the risk is highest. NHTSA recently published the "Rural High Five" Program and Instructional Guide, a data-driven roadmap specifically designed to increase seat belt usage in our heartland. We’ve also created a nighttime seat belt enforcement how -to guide and case study. We are backing these resources with funding for increased nighttime enforcement and a push for tougher state laws to ensure everyone stays protected.

Coming up in May, we’re launching our Click It or Ticket campaign with a significant public event at USDOT HQ featuring a moderated round table bringing together survivors, first responders, and law enforcement, to share firsthand accounts of how seatbelt use, or lack thereof, changed their lives. This campaign isn't just about citations; it’s about high-visibility enforcement and strategic messaging that can spread awareness and change decisions.

Our occupant protection mission extends to child car seats. Correctly used car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants and over 50% for toddlers. Unfortunately, nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. To fix this, we are partnering with the U.S. Army and Air Force to educate new parents and train first responders to serve as certified child passenger safety technicians in every community. And, we have free resources to help law enforcement better understand appropriate child seats installation. Booster seats are the most commonly missed step to keep kids safe. We’ll be educating more families about this important step in child passenger safety.

We are also focused on preventing child heatstroke in the summer months. On average 37 children will die each year in hot cars—either being forgotten, left intentionally, or entering the vehicle on their own. Sadly, two deaths have already been reported this year. We are ramping up our Never Happens campaign with the simple message "Stop. Look. Lock." to provide parents with tools to prevent this tragedy.

Beyond the road, we are even developing new procedural countermeasures to engage the childcare community in preventing hot car situations. Partnerships are key.

Speeding plays a role in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. But more than that, speeders are statistically more likely to be unlicensed, impaired, or unbuckled. To move the needle in the correct direction, our fourth pathway focuses on a clear, realistic target: stopping the most dangerous, excessive speeders.

Let’s be realistic: most Americans drive at or slightly above the posted limit, and our roads are generally engineered for that flow. While we’d love to improve on this, we aren't interested in a "gotcha" approach for the average driver. Instead, we are laser-focused on the drivers who treat our public roads like racetracks.

There is simply no excuse for anyone to exceed 100 mph or drive 30, 40, or 50 miles over the posted limit. These drivers aren't just "in a hurry"—they are endangering every family on the road. NHTSA fully supports significant fines and jail time for such offenses to ensure there are real, life-altering consequences for these high-risk choices.

We also support using AI-powered enforcement aids, dynamic speed feedback signs, and school bus stop-arm cameras to add an additional layer of protection to our highest risk roadways.

We are also looking at the next frontier of prevention. Just as we support ignition interlocks to stop repeat impaired driving offenders, we are exploring the use of mobile telematics and speed interlock technologies, specifically for chronic, excessive speeders.

By using data to identify the "worst of the worst," we can make our roads safer for everyone.

We live in a world that refuses to unplug, but the consequences of that choice on our roads are devastating. Whether it’s a quick text, a social media check, or a work email, those few seconds of distraction can lead to life-altering tragedy.

For 2024, our data show 3,208 people were killed and over 315,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. However, that doesn't come close to telling the whole story. Distraction is notoriously difficult to document after a crash, meaning the true impact is likely far higher. While smart phones are certainly the primary concern, distraction goes far beyond that to include anything that takes your eyes off the road, from adjusting the radio to eating a burrito.

This year, we are taking our messaging to a new level. For the first time in history, a Transportation Secretary is the face of a NHTSA safety ad. Secretary Sean Duffy’s personal appearance in our new distracted driving campaign is a powerful signal of this Administration's commitment to ending this behavior.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we kicked it off on April 1 with a nationwide call to action through our Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign. We’ve partnered with law enforcement across the country to stop distracted drivers before they hurt themselves or others. While we focus heavily on the 18-to-34-year-old demographic, our message is for everyone: the financial, legal and safety consequences are deadly serious.

We aren't just asking people to change; we’re researching the tools to help them. In particular, we are exploring how mobile telematics technology can allow smart phones to reduce distraction rather than cause it.

NHTSA is currently compiling the most successful state-level distracted driving programs to create a promising practice guide for the entire nation. And we’re evaluating the effectiveness of various employer policies to limit distracted driving.

As you head back to your communities, remember: no text, email, or video is worth a life. Let’s make "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road" the national standard once again, and JUST. DRIVE.

While we do our best to minimize the likelihood of crashes occurring, our mission doesn't end when they do occur. It continues until every person needing help is safely in the hands of medical professionals in a hospital. We know that trauma is the leading cause of preventable death for people under 45, and we are fundamentally changing how we respond to it. Currently, 43% of people who die in traffic crashes are still alive when first responders arrive. That is a massive window of opportunity. By starting transfusions at the scene rather than waiting for the hospital, we aren't just transporting patients—we are saving lives in the field.

Our sixth pathway focuses on substantially expanding access to prehospital blood transfusion programs across the country. I am personally so excited about this program’s potential because the data are so staggering. Research shows that prehospital blood transfusions decrease mortality for trauma patients with severe bleeding by 37%.

Under the Trump Administration, we have moved aggressively. Last year, we partnered with the Department of War’s Uniformed Services University to invest $30 million in setting up at least 25 demonstration projects nationwide within the next two years. Just before Christmas, we released another $50 million for transfusion programs as part of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.

We’ve seen the number of programs jump from 100 to over 350 in just two years—but with 15,000 EMS agencies nationwide, we are just getting started.

Secretary Duffy recently posted the FY26 Safe Streets and Roads for All Notice of Funding Opportunity. It is open now and closes on May 26th. This year, applications that include prehospital blood transfusion capabilities will be more competitive. We want to see your agencies win this funding.

Additionally, NHTSA’s 402 highway safety grant funds available through State Highway Safety Offices may support prehospital blood programs in accordance with legal restrictions.

A critical challenge for this program is the national blood supply. This is a "boots on the ground" effort we can all join. Lifesavers is hosting a blood drive here at the conference tomorrow only, and I’ll be rolling up my sleeve to donate. I hope to see many of you there with me.

For victims of vehicle crashes, these programs can be a game changer. Let’s work together to ensure that no matter where a trauma occurs, life-saving blood product is already on the way.

Both at NHTSA, and within the larger traffic safety community, we believe roadway safety is a shared passion and responsibility. While our state highway safety offices (SHSOs) are the boots on the ground for implementation of programs within the states, at the national level, we are really looking to find ways to expand the reach of our safety messaging—including opening doors to partners you may have never engaged before. By amplifying NHTSA’s educational campaign messages through what we are calling the National Partnership Network, our seventh pathway will strengthen the safety network for every road user in America.

We are thinking outside the box to reach people where they live, work, and play. For example:

We’ve developed vehicle safety resources for personnel at military bases, and visitors at national parks and federal buildings. The information is simple, effective and educates recipients on safer driving behaviors. It’s a small step that can help prevent big tragedies.

We are launching a series of webinars to bridge the gap between federal agencies and our SHSOs. These sessions will be the "matchmaker" for future collaboration and funding opportunities.

We are already seeing incredible momentum with our primary partners:

• We are working closely with the Department of War to ensure our service members stay safe on and around their bases.
• We’re collaborating with the National Park Service on strategies to keep millions of visitors aware and safe while they enjoy our great nation’s treasures.
• We’ve initiated critical discussions with the Indian Health Service on data needs and funding for Tribal Nations, focusing on both post-crash care and injury prevention.

One major priority moving forward is our tribal safety support plan to create a NHTSA-wide approach to supporting tribal communities with safety programs and data collection. Our goal is to foster fruitful, long-lasting partnerships between Tribal Nations, NHTSA and state highway safety offices.

We’re also expanding our reach through third party organizations, bringing in safety groups, including some in this room, to help us communicate our safety messages even further. I’ve already been flirting with some of you about this, and I hope more will join. The more ears and eyes we can reach with effective safety campaigns, the greater chance we can have of convincing people to make the right choices on how and whether to drive.

Those are just a few of the examples of efforts we’re taking to strengthen our partnerships to enhance roadway safety. Our work doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We are constantly looking for your input (and some of you aren’t shy in providing it, which is great!) We are here to provide the support, the data, and the introductions you need to save lives.

Our final pathway is dedicated to providing new tools and resources to strengthen the capabilities of our state highway safety offices, which serve as central hubs across the nation for this life-saving work. We are developing tailored tools and engagement strategies to ensure they have the data-driven backbone they want and need to expand their portfolio of safety countermeasures.

We have already completed twelve data deep dives, providing SHSOs with powerful dashboards that pull from crash, census, roadway, and EMS data. We are expanding these resources to all 57 states and jurisdictions.

These deep dives can help states identify navigation points as they develop their roadmaps to deploy scarce resources. In fact, our regional operations team recently used these tools to provide in-depth problem identification training specifically for our tribal grantees, helping tribes identify and utilize the data they need to effectively leverage the right tools and resources necessary to succeed.

Innovation shouldn't happen in a vacuum. We’ve launched the Promising Practices Repository, a centralized collection of impactful state projects turned into actionable strategies. During our recent webinar on April 14, attendees heard directly from state representatives about how they identified, implemented, and evaluated their most successful projects. These tips are designed to help states right now as they prepare their triennial highway safety plans and annual grant applications.

We are also currently developing our state program hub—a centralized, user-friendly platform that we believe will revolutionize how states access and utilize data. This isn't just a database; it’s an automation tool that can generate evidence-based recommendations for your programs using the latest analytic techniques.

We are also rolling out a customizable SWOT tool (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) so SHSOs can self-identify gaps, align priorities, and track outcomes in real-time.

At NHTSA, we are excited to continue adding tools to the SHSO toolboxes. We are listening to your needs and responding with a comprehensive, evidence-based toolkit that empowers you to lead the way in traffic safety.

So, to recap:

While recent traffic fatality numbers have been trending down, we continue to fight through a traffic safety crisis and we cannot and will not relent.

The Pathways to Safer Streets initiative is the Trump Administration’s comprehensive, data-driven roadmap designed to reduce traffic deaths through innovation, collaboration, and more proactive traffic enforcement.

The initiative shifts the agency’s focus toward active collaboration with states and law enforcement to target the primary causes of traffic fatalities: impairment, speeding, distraction, and lack of belt use.

The pathways action plan will now form the basis of NHTSA’s activities and partnerships to address behavioral safety issues with the states, safety stakeholders, and the private sector for years to come.

If we do this right, if we work as one system, one network, with one mission, then one day, the idea of losing tens of thousands of people on our roads each year, will feel not just tragic, but unthinkable. Let’s use the next several years to prove that traffic fatalities are not an inevitable part of American life. Let’s turn our shared mission into a reality.

Thank you for everything you do, and let's get to work.