Landmark Global Road Safety Resolution Passes U.S. House and Senate

The U.S. Senate recently unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 (S. Con. Res. 39), supporting the goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims and their families. S. Con. Res. 39 was introduced by Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) on June 20, 2007 and co-sponsored by Senators Thad Cochran (MS), Carl Levin (MI), Robert Menendez (NJ), Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ) and Richard G. Lugar (IN). The House of Representatives passed concurring legislation (H. Con. Res 87) on July 20, 2007, with 55 co-sponsors.

Road crashes kill 1.2 million people each year, injuring and disabling 50 million worldwide. They are the leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24. 43,000 people died on the roads in the U.S. last year. Crashes cost countries an average of 3% to 5% of their GDP.

The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), a member of Make Roads Safe – The Campaign for Global Road Safety, was instrumental in the passage of both House and Senate resolutions. ASIRT President Rochelle Sobel emarked, "The passage of this resolution by both Houses of Congress, signals a commitment by the United States Congress to not only honor the memory of road crash victims the world over, but to address the global road safety crisis as a health epidemic of the highest magnitude."

"I am pleased the Senate passed this important resolution which establishes a national day of remembrance for road crash victims and their families," said Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). "It is my hope that the global community can come together not only to remember those who have lost their lives, but also, to work to prevent this needless loss of life and injury from occurring in the future."

Rep. Robert Wexler, co-chair of the Congressional Global Road Safety Caucus, and original co-sponsor of the House Resolution, encouraged the United States to continue to lead on this issue. "I am thrilled that the Senate has passed this critical resolution today. It is imperative that the U.S. take a leadership role in establishing the importance of road safety at home and abroad," stated Rep. Wexler. "Creating a day of remembrance would provide the world with a focal point for programs and activities. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and organizations like the Association for Safe International Road Travel as we work to raise awareness on the issue."

ASIRT was founded by Rochelle Sobel in 1995 after her son Aron was killed in a bus crash in Turkey. For more information about the Association for Safe International Road Travel, visit www.asirt.org.

< Back