[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEAS OF THE DECADE 
                       OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution supporting the goals and ideas of the Decade of Action for 
Road Safety. This is a critically important issue, as millions of 
people in every corner of the globe are affected by traffic accidents, 
inadequate public policies, and underdeveloped or neglected 
transportation infrastructure. The United States can take the lead in 
furthering the goals of the Decade of Action declared by the United 
Nations General Assembly, saving millions of lives and billions of 
dollars.
  The leading cause of death for people ages 5 to 29 is not disease or 
war but road crashes. Nearly 1.3 million people are killed in road 
crashes every year and another twenty to fifty million are injured in 
traffic accidents. On average, over 1,000 people under the age of 25 
die every single day on the world's roads. And these numbers are going 
up dramatically.
  Madam Speaker, the world cannot afford such needless, heartbreaking 
losses. In addition to the catastrophic human costs--not only the lives 
lost but amongst their friends and families as well--road crashes cost 
the global community over $518 billion a year, an enormous sum when you 
consider that many of the countries most plagued by road crashes are 
underdeveloped or developing nations.
  The global community must build on the initial, important steps 
already taken to enhance international cooperation to improve road 
safety. In November 2009, the Moscow Declaration, signed by 150 
countries, encouraged the establishment of a Decade of Action for Road 
Safety from 2011 to 2020, and laid the foundation for United Nations 
General Assembly Resolution 64/255 adopted in March 2010. This U.N. 
resolution recognizes that the devastation caused by road crashes 
negatively impacts the social, economic, and health targets of the 
Millennium Development Goals, and reaffirms the importance of 
international collaboration during the Decade of Action.
  It is critical that the nations of the world work together to 
stabilize and reduce traffic fatalities by taking advantage of 
opportunities at the global, national, regional, and local level. The 
United States can set an example for the rest of the world by improving 
transportation management, infrastructure, vehicle safety, education, 
and post-crash care and rehabilitation here at home. We must continue 
to support public policies designed to reduce key risk factors like 
speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and the failure of many 
Americans to use seat belts, child restraints, and other safety 
devices.
  Madam Speaker, this Decade of Action for Road Safety has not been 
declared to merely raise awareness, but also to take action. We all use 
roads, cars, buses, and bicycles every day. It is easy to take our 
safety for granted. But too many tragedies remind us that road 
fatalities and injuries have an enormous impact on our lives. This 
resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the 
Decade of Action and encourages the federal government to support 
efforts to reduce road fatalities, preventing needless deaths and 
injuries both here at home and around the world. I appreciate the 
support of my good friends Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Congressman 
Dan Burton on this matter, and urge my colleagues to support this 
important resolution.

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