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On the Road with ASIRT _____________________ Spring 2026
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Dear Friends,
The ASIRT family, the road safety community, and the world at large have lost a brilliant and visionary friend and a passionate advocate with the passing of Dr. Margie Peden on January 29, 2026. Margie was truly an agent of change who dedicated her life to making roads safer for everyone.
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Dynamic, articulate, keenly analytic, Margie was an indefatigable champion and brilliant researcher. She traveled the globe presenting at countless conferences, carrying the message that crashes are a preventable public health issue affecting everyone, but most particularly vulnerable road users, and stressing the urgent need to implement data proven interventions.
I had the distinct pleasure of first meeting and collaborating with Margie in 2000 shortly after she joined The World Health Organization and was immediately struck by her warmth, caring, collegiality, and incisive wit. Margie was the overall manager of the WHO production team for Faces behind the figures: voices of road crash victims and their families, a volume produced jointly by the World Health Organization and ASIRT (2007). She was also the coordinator of the Road Safety in 10 Countries Project (RS10), an initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies of which ASIRT was a member. Margie also held a position on the ASIRT Advisory Board since 2018 where she served with dedication and wisdom.
Margie Peden leaves behind a legacy of action and an example of the impact an individual can have upon the world.
Warmly,
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Rochelle Sobel
Founder and President
ASIRT
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UN Global Road Safety Week
May 8 - 12, 2026
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ASIRT Annual Gala
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Details to follow.
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Road Safety Review (RSR) Update
Recently updated RSRs include Japan, Nepal, and the Netherlands. Free sample reports can be downloaded at asirt.org/resources. Subscriptions are now available for 1, 8, 20, or all reports. Subscribe or renew to access more than 100 RSRs.
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===RSR Fast Fact: Hungary
Hungary has an extensive and well-developed rail network that’s widely regarded as a reliable form of travel. Trains connect all major towns, with additional service to cities throughout Europe, including Berlin, Munich, Vienna, and Warsaw. Types of trains include long-distance, suburban routes, a funicular train in Budapest, and narrow-gauge trains in some hilly locations that are called “small trains.” Many visitors are unaware that seat reservations are mandatory for any route on any train that appears listed on a timetable. Cards showing the seat number must be purchased separately from train tickets and can be obtained at MÁV ticket offices.
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A Family Party in Portugal
by Rochelle Sobel
In celebration of a milestone birthday, 20 wonderful family members planned and then joined me on an unforgettable trip to Portugal in December 2025. With the guidance of an outstanding local tour director and a professional bus driver, we traveled to Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Belmonte, Porto, and Obidos, enjoying magnificent scenery and architecture, learning about Portugal’s history and culture, and delighting in its tasty cuisine, most particularly the renowned pastel de nata (cream pastry).
| | Committed to ASIRT's “Know before you go” policy, I reviewed ASIRT’s Portugal Road Safety Review (RSR) prior to our departure. The RSR proved invaluable. It outlined road conditions, highlighted potential hazards, and offered recommendations that enabled us to make thoughtful, informed decisions throughout our trip. Read more. | | |
Self Rescuing During "Mud Season"
by Sam Shoyer
As winter turns into spring, cold and ice make way for spring rain showers. Many communities refer to this time of year as “mud season.” I want to briefly talk about the mentality and techniques behind self rescuing from a ditch or mud. Similar to snow, if we try to drive quickly and aggressively out of the mud, we risk digging our tires deeper. Creating additional traction, driving gently, and creating a path of exit are the basic steps to self rescue.
Like most elements of preparedness for road safety, there is a short list of items that can dramatically improve the outcome if we unfortunately wind up in a ditch. One piece of equipment that is growing in popularity for all drivers are “traction pads.” These are firm plastic boards that can be placed by tires in the direction you want to travel. They dramatically improve traction and are reusable. I personally recommend that everyone carry a small set of traction pads all year round as they are small, lightweight, and make a huge difference in emergencies. Other items that can help are a headlamp, small shovel, small axe or small saw, and a tow strap (more important if you drive your car offroad). Having the expectation set that you may need to cut and place wood and rocks by your stuck tires and try different configurations is the most important element of the mentality of self rescuing from a ditch or mud. Read more.
Sam Shoyer is a ski instructor and outdoor industry entrepreneur who lives in Silver Plume, Colorado at 9,400’ elevation.
| | Information provided by Sam Shoyer | | |
In the News
Learn how Washington State is poised to lower blood alcohol levels to .05, which is an important, exemplary, and lifesaving measure.
Seattle Times
According to a landmark study, drivers in Great Britain have shown overwhelming support for mandatory eyesight checks for older motorists. Read more.
GB News
Access to sustainable transport is a question of life and death, poverty and prosperity, and overall well-being. See how The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport offers a unique opportunity to put transport at the center of development planning and investment.
UN.org
Read how cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday released a video backing road safety campaigns as he joined a group of celebrities designated "Global Champions for Road Safety" by the UN.
The Times of India
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