December 2025


Summaries of timely road safety news, events, and alerts

 

Message from NETS' Executive Director,

Susan Hipp

Road traffic crashes continue to take a heartbreaking toll around the world, with an estimated 1.19 million lives lost each year- that's one life lost every 26 seconds. As we close out the year, it’s a meaningful moment to pause, to appreciate the work we’ve done together, and to remember why this work matters so deeply.


At NETS, we’re grateful to collaborate with members and partners who share a commitment to helping employees, their families, and communities stay safe on the world’s roadways, and we're proud of the progress made this past year:


  • Upgraded our Annual benchmark report to facilitate easier reporting


  • Updated the Post-Collision Coaching Toolkit to include a step-by-step coaching framework rooted in behavioral science


  • Convened more than 200 fleet safety professionals, sponsors, and advocates from around the world in Minneapolis to share insights, build partnerships, and advance road safety


  • Promoted and facilitated participation by NETS members in pilot programs and studies to advance road safety technologies and emerging safety initiatives


  • Created a new employer vulnerable road users toolkit for the Streets for Life: Unlocking the Multiple Benefits of Safe Walking and Cycling global campaign


  • Continued membership in the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) to support global road safety efforts


  • Collaborated with other like-minded road safety organizations


  • Initiated the update to the Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers report and calculator (new version coming soon!)



Looking ahead, our shared mission remains clear and unchanged. May the year ahead bring renewed energy, compassion, and collaboration as we continue working toward a future where everyone arrives home safely.


Warmest wishes for a safe and happy New Year.


Susan Hipp

Executive Director

https://trafficsafety.org

 
NETS SPONSORS

NETS is proud to partner with the following PLATINUM Fleet Safety Sponsors:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Learn about all of NETS Fleet Safety Sponsors

 

LATEST ROAD SAFETY NEWS

How Talking Slows Eye Movements Behind the Wheel

New research reveals that talking can subtly delay the eyes’ ability to detect and stabilize on visual information. In experiments comparing talking, listening, and control conditions, only talking caused slower reaction, movement, and fixation times during rapid eye-movement tasks.

WORKPLACE / HOME ROAD SAFETY

Sleeping In A Car Can Be Fatal: Here's What To Do To Keep You Safe

Sleeping in a parked car can be dangerous due to serious risks like carbon monoxide poisoning, heatstroke, or hypothermia when ventilation is limited. Authorities have reported fatal cases annually around the world. 

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week encourages conversations about aging and the road

During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, experts and advocates encouraged frank, proactive conversations about aging and safe driving.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

EVs Pose No Greater Risk to Pedestrians than Conventional Vehicles, Study Indicates

A new study finds that electric vehicles (EVs) are no more likely than conventional petrol or diesel cars to be involved in collisions with pedestrians, nor do they result in more severe injuries when crashes occur, dispelling earlier concerns about EV weight and quiet operation. Meanwhile, the research highlights that hybrid vehicles had higher pedestrian casualty rates and that larger vehicles like SUVs tend to pose greater risks.

ROADWAY DESIGN AND SAFETY INNOVATIONS

US Travel Set to Benefit from Nearly One Billion Dollars Investment in Road Safety Infrastructure

The US Department of Transportation is investing nearly $1 billion through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program to fund 521 road-safety projects nationwide, improving intersections, sidewalks, emergency response, and other infrastructure to make travel safer and more efficient for both residents and visitors.

INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY

ETSC Calls for EU Action as Data Reveal Scale of Work-related Road Deaths

The ETSC warns that work-related road deaths account for a significant portion of EU road fatalities but remain poorly tracked due to inconsistent reporting, and urges EU-level action to improve data and prevention efforts.

Launch of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport

The United Nations has officially launched the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035, setting out a global framework to advance equitable, safe, and sustainable mobility for all. The Decade's Implementation Plan places strong emphasis on safe public transport and improved conditions for pedestrians and cyclists as essential enablers of connectivity and accessibility.

UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EVENTS
AND CAMPAIGNS
 

Jan 11-15: Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting


The 105th TRB Annual Meeting brings together thousands of transportation professionals from around the world with sessions and workshops covering all transportation modes, including safety topics relevant to policy makers, researchers, and practitioners.


https://www.nationalacademies.org

Feb. 16-18, 2026: Program Zero Implementation Training


Sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other global road safety experts. The training will provide innovative, evidence-based tools and strategies to drive Safe Systems and is designed for practitioners shaping policy, planning, engineering, and public health strategy.



https://web.cvent.com/event

Feb. 3-8, 2026: Super Bowl Campaign


Super Bowl parties are some of the most attended gatherings among friends and family, so keeping safety in mind is essential. Themed material is offered that encourages people to plan ahead and designate a sober driver before the game starts. The message is simple: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Assets are available in English and Spanish. 


trafficsafetymarketing.gov

 
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/.

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.

About NETSWork®

NETSWork is published electronically each month by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety.

 
 
 

Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

344 Maple Ave. West #357

Vienna, VA 22180

www.trafficsafety.org

nets@trafficsafety.org

 

© 2025 Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

NETS is registered by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization