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July 2026
Summaries of timely road safety news, events, and alerts
| | Message from NETS' CSO, Art Kinsman | |
From Strategy to Action: Employers as Safe System Partners
Recently, NETS Board members met with NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison to discuss how employers can help translate the Safe System Approach and support NHTSA's Pathways to Safer Streets plan into everyday practice. The conversation reinforced a simple point: national strategies achieve results when organizations turn them into daily action.
Governments can set policy, fund programs and lead national campaigns, but employers have a kind of direct, sustained influence that government often does not. Through workplace expectations, training, technology, supervision and safety culture, employers can reach people every day, both as employees and as members of the motoring public.
Every employee who gets behind the wheel becomes part of a larger transportation system, and decisions about drivers, vehicles, speed, fatigue, distraction and safety culture affect everyone who shares the road. Employers are therefore not simply stakeholders in traffic safety; they are essential implementation partners.
NETS' recently released update to the Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers report underscores why that role matters. Motor vehicle crashes represent a largely hidden $62 billion annual employer expense, reflected in health benefits, sick leave, liability, vehicle damage and lost productivity. An average on-the-job crash costs an employer nearly $56,000, while off-the-job crashes involving employees and their dependents also create significant financial and operational consequences. Yet beyond the financial impact is something far more important: the human toll. These are our people.
Employer action is not only good risk management, it's a clear corporate responsibility and a critical part of improving road safety in the United States and internationally.
Coming up, there are two important ways to engage with NETS. Join us for the 2026 Strength IN Numbers® Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference, September 15–17 in Indianapolis, to learn from peers and share practices that can prevent crashes across organizations, and help us recognize outstanding leadership by submitting nominations for the Susan Hipp Road Safety Collaborative Leadership Award or, if you're a NETS member, the 2026 NETS Road Safety Achievement Awards by August 14. Links to both nomination forms can be found below.
Attend to learn. Nominate to recognize. Partner to save lives.
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NETS Releases Updated Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers Report
The financial impact of motor vehicle crashes extends far beyond vehicle damage. Explore the latest Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers report, released by NETS with support from State Farm, to discover updated cost estimates by industry and geography, analyses of key crash risk factors, and insights to help employers make data-driven investments in road safety.
Read More
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Seeking Companies to Partner with for NHTSA-Sponsored Research to Promote Employee Safety
Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Miami University are seeking partner companies for an NHTSA-sponsored research project aimed at reducing drowsy driving and distracted driving among U.S. workers. The team is looking to connect with organizations willing to work with them to implement a ready-to-use behavioral intervention addressing either issue (drowsy or distracted driving) among their employees. Companies that already collect telematics or other driver data (without providing real-time feedback to drivers) are especially well-suited to participate, but they would like to talk with any companies interested in working on these topics. Interested organizations are encouraged to reach out to Renée St. Louis at rstloui@umich.edu to learn more about this opportunity to advance workplace traffic safety.
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Call for Fleet Safety Award Nominations
Extended Through August 14!
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Help us recognize the individuals and organizations making a lasting impact on road safety by submitting a nomination for the 2026 NETS Road Safety Achievement Awards.
Recognizing Susan Hipp’s Legacy of Collaborative Leadership
NETS is honored to introduce the Susan Hipp Road Safety Collaborative Leadership Award, created in recognition of Susan's longstanding commitment to bringing people together to advance road safety through partnership, shared purpose, and meaningful collaboration.
Throughout her career, Susan demonstrated that lasting progress in road safety happens when organizations, disciplines, and individuals work together toward a common goal. This award honors that legacy by recognizing an individual, team, or organization that has demonstrated exceptional collaboration in creating safer roads and stronger safety outcomes.
The award is open to both NETS members and non-members and will be presented during the Road Safety Awards Dinner on September 15 in Indianapolis. Winners do not need to be present to be honored as the recipients.
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NETS Strength IN Numbers®
Fleet Safety Conference | Sept. 15-17
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Held adjacent to the NSC Safety Congress & Expo!
Hyatt Regency | Indianapolis, IN
| | RESERVE SOON! THE NETS HOTEL BLOCK EXPIRES AUGUST 14 | | |
NETS will host its 2026 Strength IN Numbers® Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference September 15–17 in Indianapolis. The conference is scheduled the same week and adjacent to the National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo, creating a convenient opportunity to engage with both employer-focused fleet safety peers and the broader safety community in a single trip.
At the same time, the NETS conference will retain the focused, intimate setting our attendees rely on, complemented by expanded access to the broader NSC community, with additional registration options expected to be made available soon by the NSC.
As the longest-running conference dedicated entirely to fleet safety, NETS offers a uniquely immersive experience where fleet safety is not just a track, but the focus of every session, discussion, and connection. Register Today. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
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The NETS conference will have it's own dedicated exhibit space
To explore sponsor opportunities, benefits, and available packages, please review the 2026 Sponsor Prospectus and contact lmorrissey@trafficsafety.org with any questions.
| | NETS is proud to partner with the following PLATINUM Fleet Safety Sponsors: | | SPONSOR INSIGHT SPOTLIGHT | |
Are Your Fleet Safety Technologies Creating New Legal Risks? IMPROV® Learning | As fleets continue investing in cameras, telematics, and AI, transportation attorney Doug Marcello raises an important question: What happens after the data identifies risky behavior? This thought-provoking article from NETS sponsor IMPROV Learning explores why documented coaching and behavior change may become just as important as collecting the data itself. | | | |
More Than 40% of U.S. Traffic Fatalities Happen on Rural Roads, Nationwide Survey Finds | A new Nationwide Agribusiness survey released during Rural Road Safety Awareness Week highlights that rural roads account for more than 40% of U.S. traffic fatalities despite carrying only about 30% of vehicle traffic. The findings underscore the importance of slowing down, wearing seat belts, and remaining alert for farm equipment and other unique hazards common on rural roadways. | | | | WORKPLACE / HOME ROAD SAFETY | |
What the IRS's Mid-Year Mileage Rate Increase Means for Fleet Managers | The IRS's rare mid-year increase in the standard business mileage rate—from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile, effective July 1—reflects rising vehicle operating costs and serves as a reminder for fleet managers to review reimbursement policies, budgets, and total cost of ownership. The change also presents an opportunity to evaluate whether current vehicle reimbursement strategies remain aligned with employees' driving needs and organizational goals. | | | | TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION | |
Driver Monitoring Technologies Could Address One of the Biggest Traffic Safety Issues, Experts Say | Virginia Tech transportation safety researchers say emerging driver monitoring systems that use biometric sensors and cameras could help reduce impaired driving by detecting signs of distraction, drowsiness, or intoxication before a crash occurs. While the technology shows promise for preventing thousands of traffic fatalities each year, the researchers note that privacy protections and responsible data use will be critical to public acceptance. | | | | GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT NEWS | |
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U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Fall for Third Straight Year
| A new GHSA analysis estimates that 6,732 pedestrians were killed in U.S. traffic crashes in 2025, a 7% decline from the previous year and the third consecutive annual decrease. While the trend is encouraging, GHSA cautions that pedestrian fatalities remain above pre-pandemic levels and calls for continued investment in safer road design, enforcement, and vehicle technologies to sustain progress. | | | |
Commitments in Action Roundtable to Drive Accountability for Safer Roads at UN High-Level Meeting | iRAP reports that the UN High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety, held July 21, reinforced the global commitment to cut road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. Discussions focused on accelerating Safe System implementation, strengthening accountability, and turning national road safety commitments into measurable action. | | | | INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY | |
Safer Cars, Safer Roads: New Rules Take Effect | Beginning July 7, all newly registered passenger cars and vans in the European Union must be equipped with additional advanced safety technologies, including driver distraction warning systems, enhanced emergency braking, improved forward visibility, and other features designed to better protect drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The new requirements are part of the EU's long-term Vision Zero strategy to eliminate road fatalities by 2050. | | | |
UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENTS
AND CAMPAIGNS
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100 Safest Days of Summer | Summer Driving Safety Practices | The 100 Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest on the roads for teen drivers and passengers. The 100 Safest Days of Summer program aims to change that dynamic and give drivers and passengers the resources to learn about summer driving safety practices. | | | |
Campaign: Speeding Catches Up With You
Speeding Catches Up With You is a year-round social norming campaign that focuses on speed prevention. Use any of these resources to encourage drivers to drive at the speed limit and to educate people about the dangers of going too fast, including information related to speed and road conditions.
trafficsafetymarketing.gov
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Aug. 19 - Sept. 7: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national high-visibility enforcement campaign that focuses on the consequences of drunk driving and is supported by increased law enforcement. During the 2024 Labor Day holiday, there were 505 crash fatalities nationwide. Of those people, 170 (34%) were killed in crashes that involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above.
trafficsafetymarketing.gov
| | Aug. 29 - Sept. 2: GHSA Annual Meeting | Minneapolis, MN | | |
Join safety, technology, law enforcement and government leaders from across the country at the GHSA 2026 Annual Meeting. The theme – From Data to Action: Harnessing the Technology Revolution – acknowledges the need to advance innovative tools that can change the safety game and save more lives. August 29 - September 2 in Minneapolis.
https://www.ghsameeting.org/
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Do you have a particularly successful road safety example to share? NETS Members are encouraged to share best practices, ask questions or contribute their expertise to the NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum, an online discussion forum exclusively for NETS Members and Sponsors. Not yet a member? Check out the benefits at https://trafficsafety.org/membership-info/.
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Note from the editor:
All links to stories have been tested and are active 24 hours prior to distribution; however, links may become inactive over time at the discretion of the publication source.
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About NETSWork®
NETSWork is published electronically each month by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety.
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© 2026 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
NETS is registered by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization
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