By Pat Jones, Contributing Author
As a leader in the tolling industry, I’ve witnessed too many avoidable accidents. I’ve lost friends and colleagues in work zones and emergencies; lives dedicated to ensuring others' safety.
I urge every driver to adopt a new mindset: drive with empathy. Recognize the shared responsibility we hold as a diverse road community.
Many accidents on the road occur because we aren’t thinking about the other people on the road alongside us. It’s easy to get distracted by a buzzing phone, go a little faster than you know you should because you are excited to make it to your destination or have that extra drink before you drive home because you’re only going around the corner.
Road accidents related to distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving are all on the rise, especially among young men.
Young men are the most vulnerable people on the road. It’s easy to think “that would never happen to me,” when the reality is, we probably all know someone who has been injured in a road accident.
In reality, it could be you in the next big accident.
Globally, road accidents are the leading cause of death for 5-to-29-year-olds, and the 12th leading cause of death overall. In the United States in particular, road deaths are increasing.
There were 40,990 road deaths in 2023, while in 2010 there were 32,999 fatalities from road crashes nationwide, marking a 24% increase over 13 years.
Over the last decade, more than 370,000 people died in transportation incidents in the U.S.
However, tolling organizations across the world are making changes to address safety concerns.
The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is updating its infrastructure to increase mobility access and physical safety features. THEA also closely integrates data into their safety work, enabling them to flag deficiencies, understand how its assets affect crashes and pinpoint mitigation measures that will prevent future crashes.
The North Texas Tollway Authority established a Traffic and Incident Management Department to enhance the agency’s ability to address safety issues. This department consolidated all management and operations functions, including responsibility for the Safety Operations Center (SOC). It also provides input on larger planning issues, such as roadway facility design.
The SOC is the focal point for operational integration with State Trooper Patrols.
Safety is the toll industry’s number one priority. From implementing new technologies to discourage speeding, to new programs to more quickly respond to accidents, the tolling industry takes road safety seriously.
Toll roads invest billions of dollars every year to make their roads as safe as they can be.
Avoid speeding, stay off your phone, and give space to road workers. These acts can save lives.
The International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association's (IBTTA) Be Safe Together campaign promotes safe driving habits. Supported by global transportation and safety organizations, our message is clear: your vigilance can make a life-saving difference.
For its commitment to road safety, IBTTA was designated an “Ally in Action” by the U.S. Department of Transportation for our commitment to making road safety an ongoing priority.
The announcement came last month during IBTTA’s first Global Road Safety Week, when tolling organizations and partners around the world shared Be Safe Together campaign messages with drivers, policymakers and other stakeholders about the steps we can all take to reduce traffic accidents.
Please, drive responsibly and empathetically. Together, we can ensure everyone reaches their destination safely. RB
Pat Jones is the CEO and executive director of the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association (IBTTA).
