It is apparent to me that the complex nature of circumstances which result in one traffic/vehicle tragedy after another calls for a creative and collaborative response:

1. It requires both personal and societal responsiveness to the problem. We are all part of the problem; we must all become part of the solution.
2. Government and industry must not only acknowledge the extent of the problem but also their role to address it comprehensively.
3. We must determine to what extent we value human life and health. Are we willing to pay the price to end preventable deaths?
4. If so, then we need to find ways to appropriately share the cost of implementing safety measures.

Posts related to this:

• Mary would have turned 18 today; but underride protection isn’t “cost-effective.”
• Does DOT Want to Reach Toward Zero Deaths? Or not?
• If Sec. Foxx & DOT are embracing Vision Zero, why do we have to fight to get a strong Underride Rule?
• What would I do if I were the National Traffic Safety Ombudsman?
• What will it take to make a significant reduction in the number of people who die on our roads?
• Somebody has to take personal responsibility & be accountable for the danger of the trucking industry.
• Distracted & Drowsy Driving; A Matter of Personal AND Social Responsibility–NOT Either/Or
• Preventing deadly crashes doesn’t require Either crash avoidance Or underride guards but Both/And.
• Question for the ATA: Is it necessary to choose EITHER crash avoidance OR occupant protection — not BOTH?
• What If the Insurance Industry Gave Trucking Companies a Discount for Safety Equipment?

I know that many people and organizations are already doing many things to make our roads safer. But is there anything that could be done which could have widespread impact and bring about changes more quickly? I think so.

I have summarized my thoughts here:

1. Set a National Vision Zero Goal: Driverless Policy Making by Roger Lanctot and  Last night, Pres. Obama referred in the past tense to crash fatalities as a public health problem. and  National Vision Zero Goal: Unifying Force in Development of Automated Vehicles 
2. Establish a National Vision Zero Task Force: Let’s establish a White House Task Force to Achieve a Vision Zero Goal of Crash Death Reduction
3. Sign a Vision Zero Executive Order to authorize Vision Zero Rulemaking:  https://annaleahmary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Executive-Order-Draft-Application-of-Vision-Zero-Principles-to-Highway-Safety-Regulatory-Review.pdf
4. Appoint a National Traffic Safety Ombudsman: Traffic Safety Ombudsman (Advocate); Missing piece of Vision Zero Strategy
5. Catalyze citizens to become part of the solution through a nationwide network of Vision Zero/Traffic Safety community groups: Vision Zero Nationwide Network of Traffic Safety Advocacy Groups: Communities Working to Save Lives

And here’s my project proposal to accomplish many of those things!  https://annaleahmary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ALMFTS-Traffic-Safety-Ombudsman-Project-Proposal.pdf