In recent years there has been considerable progress across North America to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries—but even one death is one too many. The Driving Toward Zero Deaths theme stands in support of a new global movement referred to as The Decade of Action for global road safety—and more specifically, the U.S. piece of that movement, Toward Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety.
AAMVA members are the backbone of these efforts. From the second a new driver walks into a branch office in search of a permit test, it is our job to ensure they know the rules of the road and will practice them safely. And it’s not just a permit test or on-road exam where we play a role. AAMVA agencies touch roadway safety in almost everything they do: driver licensing standards, vehicle titling standards, data/information for law enforcement, heavy truck regulation and many other areas. But there is more we can do.
The Decade of Action for Road Safety will be officially launched on Wed., May 11, 2011. A truly global event, national and local launches in every time zone of the world will combine with one message: it is Time for Action.
You can plan or join national or local events in your country. See the official website for the Decade of Action, hosted by WHO, for more information. And check out the Resources section for additional launch ideas.
Decade of Action Launches Around the World!
AAMVA Staff have been helping launch the Decade of Action not only in the U.S., but in Mexico as well. Check out photos from the events here.
Also, be sure to check out AAMVA's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/aamva for Decade of Action photos, PSAs, and more!
AAMVA Works Toward Zero Deaths
Supporting a National Strategy on Highway Safety
AAMVA has taken a leadership role as a steering committee member on Toward Zero Deaths (TZD): A National Strategy on Highway Safety. This data-driven effort is identifying and creating opportunities to change America's highway safety culture. The TZD steering committee is developing an outline for the strategy by spring 2010 and plans to finalize the strategy in 2011. To reach those goals, the next immediate step is to identify and understand challenges and opportunities in reducing highway fatalities. Much work has been done to identify safety strategies and quantify their effectiveness, but additional research is needed to determine the impact of these strategies when fully implemented. The impact must include projections of lives saved as well as the health care costs of highway injuries and deaths, best practices, effective means of creating a cultural change and other issues. If you are interested in joining the effort or want additional information, contact Ian Grossman, AAMVA's representative on the steering committee, at igrossman@aamva.org or 703-908-2841.
AAMVA's Commitment to Safety
One of AAMVA's primary objectives is to develop policies and conduct technical analyses that help improve safety. Activities include promoting driver fitness, graduated driver’s licenses, aging driver programs and medical fitness policies. AAMVA strives to bring about a significant reduction in the annual toll of highway fatalities and accidents in North America.
On a daily basis motor vehicle agencies (MVAs) throughout North America contribute to highway safety through driver testing, vehicle registration/titling, document authentication and fraud detection measures and consumer education. AAMVA supports the MVA community's highway safety efforts in multiple ways:
AAMVA provides access to many databases and systems that support highway safety through accurate driver records, tracking training credentials, fraud prevention activities and more.