Read about the growing momentum for roadway safety heading into 2026, a tribute to former GHSA Executive Director Barabara Harsha, how to improve drug-impaired driving data, and much more in the latest edition of GHSA's newsletter.
The momentum for safer roads keeps growing! Traffic deaths continue to decline across the country, although we will not rest until we reach our goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads. A wave of new, innovative technologies is addressing core safety challenges like speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving. Data and advanced analytics are helping shine a light on trends and opportunities that were unseen with traditional methods. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a Senate-confirmed Administrator for the first time in several years. While there is still much work ahead, the energy and excitement for safety is tangible.
As we look toward the new year, GHSA will bring together the critical concepts of momentum, innovation and data at our 2026 Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. Our conference theme – From Data to Action: Harnessing the Technology Revolution – acknowledges the need to advance innovative tools that can change the game and save countless lives on our roads. Can you spot the nod to a famous local musician in the theme?
The Exhibit Hall will feature a range of cutting-edge, innovative technologies that are saving lives on America’s roads. We’re nearly half sold out already! Reserve your spot today. Thank you to our Roadway Safety Champions for their support of the Annual Meeting. Stay tuned for much more about #GHSA2026 in the coming months!
Former GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha passed away on November 18. Harsha was a visionary and dedicated leader who made a tremendous positive impact on roadway safety during her 25 years at the helm of the Association between 1988 and her retirement in 2013.
“Barbara was a fearless leader, caring mentor and vocal champion for the important work that State Highway Safety Offices do to protect everyone on the road,” said GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. “On a personal note, Barbara started as my supervisor and ended up my friend. Like she did with so many others, she believed in me, supported me and pushed me to be better. I’ll greatly miss her wit, passion and counsel.” Read GHSA’s statement on Barbara’s safety impact and legacy.
There has been a bevy of federal activity in Washington, D.C. over the past few months. Here are some highlights.
📝 GHSA issued comments in support of a NHTSA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to reduce the administrative burden associated with public participation and engagement (PP&E) requirements. A total of 19 states joined GHSA in commenting in support of the proposal and – notably – there was no significant opposition. If finalized, the proposed rule would eliminate a reporting requirement for states to submit information about their planned PP&E activities, although they would still have to conduct the activities themselves.
🏛️ The nation’s longest government shutdown ended in mid-November after lawmakers finally reached a deal to fund most federal agencies through the end of January 2026. During the 43-day shutdown, U.S. Department of Transportation activities were restricted to essential functions. However, NHTSA’s Highway Safety Grant Programs are supported by the Highway Trust Fund and were largely unaffected. Lawmakers will now work toward a long-term funding bill before the new January 30, 2026 deadline.
🚑 At least three SHSOs have had prehospital blood projects successfully approved by NHTSA in their FY 2026 Annual Grant Application (AGA). This comes as a direct result of GHSA’s strongly advocating for NHTSA’s support of these projects, requesting that the agency reconsider their previous decision that this lifesaving countermeasure wasn’t eligible for 402 funding.
🟠 GHSA and State Farm® released a new guide to help SHSOs more effectively partner with community leaders, Child Passenger Safety Technicians and others working to protect kids in motor vehicles. Child Passenger Safety: A Roadmap for State Highway Safety Offices and an accompanying worksheet are available to view or download on the GHSA website.
🟠 The National School Bus Safety Summit will be held on December 10 in Washington, DC. The event, held by Bus Patrol with support from GHSA and Safe Kids Worldwide, will bring together safety professionals, transportation experts, policy leaders, and educators for an important conversation on how we can work together to improve bus safety.
🟠 GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) released A Data-Driven Action Plan for Safer Roads, which urges public officials to support and advance predictive analytics to prevent traffic deaths before they happen, marking a fundamental shift in how road safety is approached. Read the report and a story about it in Smart Cities Dive.
🟠 The CBS Evening News highlighted Missouri’s use of telematics and advanced data analysis to address distracted driving and improve road safety. GHSA works with General Motors and CMT to fund and support programs that help states use data to make roads safer. Watch on YouTube and read the article.
🟠 KFF Health News highlighted the dangers facing pedestrians in the United States, with a focus on one tragic hit-and-run crash in Los Angeles this June. GHSA’s Adam Snider was included in a short news documentary from KFF, which you can watch here.
🟠 Guests David Zipper and Rick Birt discuss “vibes” and their place in roadway safety, new technologies, and much more in the latest episode of “The Intersection,” hosted by GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. While they might not agree on everything, there’s one big thing that got unanimous support among all three. Watch the episode to find out what it is!
🟠 The Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program, a collaboration of the Transportation Research Board, NHTSA and GHSA, has recently released three new resources. They cover attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and driving safety in teens, a framework for analyzing traffic safety public education and awareness efforts, and the effectiveness of on-road driver skills tests in predicting high-risk drivers. See more information about all BTSCRP projects in the GHSA Resource Hub.
🟠 The Associated Press explores how states and cities are putting AI to use to improve road safety by prioritizing infrastructure investments, identifying dangerous driving trends and guiding safety countermeasures. Read the AP story.
🟠 The third edition of “Not So Fast: Parenting Your Teen Through the Dangers of Driving,” co-authored by GHSA’s Pam Shadel Fischer and Tim Hollister, is now on sale. The book launch was supported by a discussion and signing in Connecticut. The book is available for purchase from major booksellers. All profits will be donated to traffic safety and youth organizations.
🟠 Families for Safe Streets Founder Amy Cohen tells the story of her son Sammy in a profile of her pedestrian safety advocacy in PEOPLE Magazine. Cohen received GHSA’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award in 2022. Read the PEOPLE article.
Has a new staff member joined your team? We’d love to feature them in the next issue of Directions! Email Kerry Chausmer their name, job title, a brief description of their responsibilities and their LinkedIn profile link, if they have one.
🟠 Elisa Ramirez is the new Community Engagement Coordinator with the California Office of Traffic Safety. Elisa brings nearly 10 years of experience overseeing bilingual outreach programs and will lead our efforts to reach the public at key points of our highway safety planning process that help inform and shape OTS programs in meaningful ways.
🟠 Brian Huynh joined the California Office of Traffic Safety as Chief Traffic Records Officer. He leads California’s efforts to develop and implement strategic direction and priorities related to the state’s Traffic Records System and programs to achieve timely, accurate, complete, uniform, integrated and accessible traffic records, including providing oversight and strategic direction to the Traffic Records Coordinating Committee.
🟠 The Colorado Highway Safety Office is excited to welcome Briana West and Ashley Nicks as Community Traffic Safety Grant Managers. They are working on the Community Traffic Safety team to support local initiatives, manage grant-funded programs and collaborate with communities across the state.
🟠 Chasity Gentry and Josephine Oldaker joined the Colorado Highway Safety Office as Grant Technician IVs and are performing detailed reviews and processing payments for grantee claims, and assisting with grant management updates and financial monitoring processes. Josephine’s focus is on High Visibility Enforcement and Click it or Ticket.
🟠 The Colorado Office of Highway Safety also welcomed Erika Dubray as the Highway Safety Lead- Traffic Records, Motorcycles & Older Adults. She provides oversight for all traffic records, motorcycle and older adult grants and supports the Colorado Statewide Traffic Records Advisory Committee (STRAC).
🟠 Rachel Bitz joined the North Dakota DOT Highway Safety Division as a Traffic Records Program Coordinator. Rachel has primary responsibility as the FARS Analyst and assists the Traffic Records Program Manager with all other program activities.
🟠 The North Dakota DOT Highway Safety Division’s Maria Gokim was promoted to Traffic Records Program Manager. Maria is responsible for crash data collection, systems, and analysis. She is the FARS supervisor, manages the 405c grant and projects and completes or is involved in crash data analysis within the SHSO.
🟠 Shannon Grabow, who has been with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety since 2009, was promoted to the Grant and Program Supervisor. In this position, she directs and oversees the distribution of $30 million in grant funding to nearly 100 grantees working under the direction of the various program coordinators.
🟠 Abby Williams joined the Washington Traffic Safety Commission in 2024, and in July 2025, she was appointed as the agency’s Administrative Services Director. Abby reports directly to Shelly Baldwin, Director, and is part of the executive team. She leads the agency’s administrative operations, including human resources, public disclosure, policies, facilities, and overall organizational support to ensure WTSC runs smoothly and efficiently.
🟠 In August 2025, Edd Giger joined the Washington Traffic Safety Commission as the agency’s Finance Director. Edd is part of the agency’s executive team and is responsible for overseeing the Commission’s financial management, budgeting, and grant compliance processes, ensuring that our federal and state funds are managed effectively to support Washington’s traffic safety goals.
Roadside oral fluid testing has emerged as a revolutionary tool in the realm of road safety and law enforcement. By providing quick and reliable results, this methodology has contributed to reducing impaired driving incidents while also safeguarding public welfare. Its implementation underscores a proactive approach to deterring substance abuse and improving the efficiency of roadside police operations. Below, we explore the various benefits associated with this innovative practice. Learn more in this article.
This edition of Directions in Highway Safety is brought to you by Abbott.
Abbott is committed to using medical science to deliver better solutions to help people live their best lives. This focus transcends traditional health care to include transportation, as law enforcement officials leverage Abbott’s oral fluid testing device to detect and remove drug impaired drivers from the road. This proven technology is critical for combating impaired driving, which has become even more challenging due to the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, the continuing opioid crisis and the uptick in the use of illegal drugs, such as methamphetamines among others.
