With the Road to Zero Coalition standing as the nation’s largest traffic safety alliance, OSHA’s inclusion signals a heightened commitment to addressing what Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, describes as “the most dangerous thing a person can do on the job – get in a vehicle.”
“This partnership is critical,” Martin emphasized. “By joining Road to Zero, OSHA strengthens our ability to protect workers both on and off the job. Together, we can create safer roads for everyone – whether they are driving for work or sharing the roads with those who do.”
The Road to Zero Coalition, founded in 2016 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation, unites over 2,000 stakeholders committed to the Safe System Approach. This framework underpins the National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Coalition’s ambitious goal of eliminating roadway fatalities by 2050.
OSHA’s role within the Coalition aims to amplify efforts to protect roadside workers and foster safe driving practices nationwide. Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker highlighted the unique challenges of roadway safety, stating, “Unlike other workplaces, the roadway is not a closed environment. Preventing work-related roadway incidents requires a combination of traffic safety principles and sound safety management practices. By collaborating with the National Safety Council and the Road to Zero Coalition, we can promote safe driving policies to prevent needless tragedies.”
The partnership builds on the Coalition’s past achievements, including the allocation of 2024 Community Traffic Safety Grants and the release of the Massive Hazards report addressing risks posed by light trucks. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg further underscored the Coalition’s impact during a fireside chat at its 2024 Annual Meeting.
In 2023, an estimated 44,000 lives were lost in traffic crashes. The collaboration between OSHA and the Road to Zero Coalition seeks to drive that number down, integrating cutting-edge safety technologies and advocating for widespread adoption of best practices to protect both drivers and roadside workers.
For more information about the Road to Zero Coalition, visit nsc.org/roadtozero.
About OSHA
Since its establishment under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA has worked to ensure safe and healthful workplaces by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance. For additional details, visit osha.gov.