IBTTA launches 2nd annual Global Road Safety Week

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) kicks off its second annual Global Road Safety Week, urging transportation leaders and tolling operators worldwide to take action to reduce traffic deaths and injuries. Road crashes kill over 1.19 million people each year, according to the World Health Organization, and are the leading cause of death for those ages 5 to 29. Centered on the theme Be Safe Together: Be the Highway Hero, the campaign unites global voices and innovations to tackle one of the world’s most pressing public health issues.

“As toll operators around the world come together this week, we’re reinforcing our shared commitment to safety,” said James Hofmann, IBTTA president and executive director/CEO of the North Texas Tollway Authority. “With tolling operations in nearly 100 countries, our industry is a powerful force—driving the technologies, policies, and actions that make every safe journey possible.”

As part of the campaign, IBTTA also unveils BeSafeTogether.org, a new digital platform that serves as a global hub for safety engagement—highlighting best practices from across continents, celebrating local and national achievements, and sharing stories from individuals working to make every road safer.

“Be Safe Together reflects the power of collective action—how small efforts across agencies, countries, and individuals add up to something truly lifesaving,” said Bill Halkias, CEO of New Attica Tollway Concession Co. “That was the vision I set during my 2024 IBTTA presidency, and I’m proud to see our industry continue to unite behind it.”

A week of global action and awareness

Global Road Safety Week kicks off with a live international webinar featuring senior transportation officials and road safety leaders. Panelists will share bold strategies to reduce traffic fatalities through infrastructure, policy, technology, and public engagement.

“IBTTA plays a vital role in bringing transportation leaders together to share effective road safety strategies—from technology and policy to public engagement,” said Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission and chair of Global Road Safety Week. “This week is about learning from each other and turning insight into action to save lives.”

Speakers include:

• AISCAT / PIARC – World Road Association – Emanuela Stocchi, acting director, AISCAT; president, PIARC
• ASFA (Association of French Motorway Companies) – Christophe Boutin, executive director
• Federal Highway Administration – Gloria M. Shepherd, executive director
• Maryland Department of Transportation – Samantha Biddle, deputy secretary
• New Attica Tollway Concession Co. – Bill Halkias, CEO, New Attica; president emeritus, HELLASTRON
• New Jersey Department of Transportation – Francis O’Connor, transportation commissioner
• North Texas Tollway Authority – James Hofmann, executive director and CEO, North Texas Tollway Authority; president, IBTTA
• Ohio Department of Transportation – Pamela Boratyn, director
• Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission – Ferzan Ahmed, executive director, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission; second vice president, IBTTA
• VINCI Highways – Tanguy Bertolus, chief technical and operations director

Each day of the campaign will spotlight a critical road safety issue, including interviews with Be Safe Together campaign allies like the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), EndDD.org and others:

• Monday, June 23: Global leadership kickoff webinar
• Tuesday, June 24: Distracted driving
• Wednesday, June 25: Speeding, aggressive and wrong way driving
• Thursday, June 26: Impaired driving
• Friday, June 27: Personal responsibility

Participants are encouraged to share their activities, innovations and safety stories using the hashtags #BeSafeTogether and #BeTheHighwayHero.

Tolling industry commitment—and federal advocacy for safety, resiliency and innovation

Toll road operators across the globe are stepping up. From deploying wrong-way detection systems and fatigue monitoring technology to leading public education campaigns and investing in safer, more resilient infrastructure, the industry is embracing safety as a shared, year-round responsibility.

To support these efforts, IBTTA is also advocating for stronger U.S. federal policies that empower state and local operators to invest in innovation, infrastructure and resilience. In April, IBTTA submitted its federal surface transportation reauthorization priorities to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, emphasizing the need for:

• Greater flexibility for tolling and user-based funding to support local investments in safety and modernization.
• Expanded federal support for resiliency programs to help infrastructure withstand extreme weather, flooding and other emergencies.
• Accelerated deployment of connected vehicle technologies and V2X systems that prevent crashes and protect all road users.

“IBTTA and our members are doing our part to advance safety through smart policy, innovation and collaboration,” said Mark Muriello, IBTTA vice president of government affairs and policy. “We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to support solutions that empower local action, strengthen resilience and help save lives on our roads.”