In a Congressional briefing organized by the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) with support from the FIA Foundation, a diverse panel of representatives from government, international organizations, philanthropy, and education sectors convened to shed light the imperative of prioritizing road safety measures for all vulnerable road users, as well as Americans abroad whose #1 killer is unsafe roads. “Protecting Overseas Employees and Travelers: Organizational Responsibility for Road Safety” saw attendance from U.S. Representatives including Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Global Road Safety Caucus. They were joined by Congressional staff from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and the offices of Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Ambassador Marc Grossman, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs now at the Cohen Group, set the tone for the briefing by emphasizing the critical role of data in addressing road safety challenges. He underscored the shared responsibility among corporations, governments, Multilateral Development Banks and NGOs in saving lives on roads.

Natalie Draisin, the FIA Foundation’s North American Director and United Nations Representative, also highlighted the importance of data-driven solutions in addressing road safety issues. She emphasized the potential for the private sector to implement life-saving measures via the road safety Index. “Recognized by the USDOT as an Ally in Action, the Index acts as a safety footprint akin to a carbon footprint, helping organizations understand and improve their road safety practices." Natalie also emphasized the need for increased funding from Multilateral Development Banks to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal on road safety, pointing to a recent FIA Foundation report.

Richard Hudson (R-NC) acknowledged the significant public health burden of crashes. He highlighted the bipartisan nature of the Caucus's efforts in raising awareness and advocating for improved road travel safety. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) emphasized the importance of bipartisan and bicameral collaboration in tackling road safety challenges. He urged staffers to actively seek solutions to these pressing issues upon their return to their desks.

Rochelle Sobel, founder and President of ASIRT, shared a poignant personal account of her journey in founding the organization following the tragic loss of her son in a crash in Turkey. Her story underscored the profound impact of road crashes on families and the urgency of ASIRT's mission. “CDC tells us 1/2 of medical evacuations beck to the US are because of road traffic injuries,” she said. The data is echoed by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)’s report, released at the briefing. It shows a high prevalence of severe and fatal injuries from road accidents, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thomas Yazdgerdi, President of AFSA said the report found that 33% of crashes among Foreign Service Members and/or their close family and friends resulted in a fatality and 55% resulted in a serious injury. 

Elizabeth Gracon, Managing Director of Overseas Citizen Services at the U.S. Department of State and Amelia Dietrich, Senior Director for Research and Publications at the Forum on Education Abroad presented efforts to inform travelers of roads risks. The Congressional briefing served as a platform for robust discussions on road safety initiatives, highlighting the collective efforts of organizations and policymakers in addressing this pressing global issue.

Download the American Foreign Service Association report