Media Contact: Shane Austin,
saustin@saferoads.org
202.425.2776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, on October 2025 Roadway Safety Observances
(September 30, 2025, Washington, DC) | Every person crossing the street, every teen learning to drive and every child traveling to and from school deserves to arrive at their destination safely. This October, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) recognizes National Pedestrian Safety Month, National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 19 to 25) and National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 20 to 24). This time of year will also bring days with decreasing hours of sunlight, which, as studies have shown, increase the risk for fatal crashes for all drivers, especially teenagers. Additionally, 77 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark in 2023.
While pedestrian deaths dipped slightly in 2023 from 7,522 to 7,314, they remain near the record high set in 1981 (7,837). More must be done to better protect these vulnerable road users, including improving localities’ ability to enhance their safety infrastructure with solutions like road diets and roundabouts, which benefit all road users. To combat risks from speeding and red light running, more states should allow and use automated enforcement technology to augment traditional enforcement efforts.
Teens and young adult novice drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes due to inexperience and the tendency to take greater risks. In 2023, 2,148 young drivers (ages 15 to 20) were killed and over 180,000 were injured. Comprehensive state graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs which allow teens and young adult novice drivers to gain experience in lower risk settings over time should be enacted in every state. Currently, no state has a program that includes all recommended GDL provisions in our Roadmap to Safety report.
In 2023, 128 people were killed in school bus related crashes in the U.S. and an additional 11,803 were injured. We support legislation that implements essential National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations for school bus safety, including three-point seat belts for all passengers, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and electronic stability control (ESC).
These observances are more than calendar events. They are reminders that proven state traffic safety laws, comprehensive federal motor vehicle safety standards and safety-focused roadway infrastructure design, maintenance and building can prevent crashes and save lives. Advocates stands ready to work with communities, states and federal partners to turn evidence into action so that our roadways are safer for all road users.
Advocates supports pending federal legislation to improve roadway safety including:
- AV Data Safety Act (R.4376) to improve incident reporting for vehicles equipped with an automated driving system (ADS).
- Complete Streets Act (S. 1953 / H.R. 3712) to improve roadway safety and use through roadway design, maintenance and building projects.
- DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act (S. 415 / H.R. 851) to establish a National Roadway Safety Advocate at the DOT to liaise with victim and survivor advocates and regularly update the Secretary on their safety priorities.
- Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2025 (H.R. 3360) to study in-vehicle communication system distraction and prescribe standards to limit such.
- End DWI Act (H.R. 2788) to improve ignition interlock device use to prevent drunk driving by compelling states to improve laws.
- Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act (H.R. 3649) to extend automatic emergency braking (AEB) detection and protections to bicycle and motorcycle riders.
- Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act of 2025 (H.R. 758) to improve the tracking and reporting of serious crashes involving mail transport including contractors.
- Pedestrian Hazard, Awareness and Safety Expansion (PHASE) Act (H.R. 4904) to identify solutions to use roadside technology to better protect VRUs and direct DOT to identify roadway infrastructure physical improvements to protect VRUs and establish a grant program for such.
- Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act (H.R. 2992) to improve data collection and implement solutions to prevent crashes with people and vehicles on the roadside and in work zones.
- Safe Streets for All Reauthorization and Improvement Act (H.R.5452) to reauthorize the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and limit the amount for planning grants to 20%.
- Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act (S. 944/ H.R. 2011) to improve state and local governments’ ability to use Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds to build safe bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
- School Bus Safety Act of 2025 (S. 828 / H.R. 1828) directs DOT issue rules requiring the inclusion of new safety equipment in school buses including seat belts, AEB, event data recorders and establish fire suppression.
- She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety (She DRIVES) Act (S.161) to use the most advanced testing devices available and update crash testing standards to reduce gaps in crash protections for females.
- Traffic Safety Enhancement Act of 2025 (H.R. 3440) to authorize use of federal surface transportation block grants for constructing roundabouts.
About Advocates
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.