Introduced this month in both the U.S. House and Senate, a proposed bill aims to establish a new position within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) dedicated to collaborating directly with highway safety organizations and individuals affected by crashes, including victims, survivors, and their families.
Known as the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act, the legislation seeks to establish the role of a “National Roadway Safety Advocate” within the DOT. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) in the House and Sen. Ben Ray Luján in the Senate, the bill’s purposes for the new position include:
- To document and convey recommendations from stakeholders to the DOT Secretary concerning the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, content, and accomplishments of DOT programs and activities related to roadway safety.
- To serve as a point of contact and resource for individuals affected by crashes, including victims, survivors, and their families, regarding pertinent roadway safety matters.
“Traffic accident victims and their families deserve an advocate in the Department of Transportation listening to their ideas for improving roadway safety, especially after suffering from a traffic crash,” Cohen said. “The DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act will help ensure that victim-advocates have a point of contact to work with at DOT and give them a more permanent voice in DOT decision-making. I’m pleased to partner with Senator Lujan on this important legislation.”
The proposed National Roadway Safety Advocate would essentially function as a middle ground between the DOT and crash victims and survivors, facilitating efficient and clear communication between the two groups.
Additionally, the advocate would be mandated to submit annual reports to the DOT Secretary, addressing systemic roadway safety concerns based on input provided by victims and survivors and offering recommendations for addressing these issues and making the roads safer for everyone.
The proposed DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act would have significant, positive implications for truck drivers. As essential users of the nation’s highways, truck drivers are particularly vulnerable to the risks associated with roadway safety. This legislation would provide truck drivers with a dedicated resource to address their concerns and communicate their experiences directly to the DOT. Truck drivers who have been involved in crashes, as well as their families, would have a designated point of contact within the DOT to seek assistance and advocate for their needs in the aftermath of accidents.
Source: Overdrive
