Monday marks beginning of IBTTA road safety week

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) today 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.

MTC's Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) affiliate and other IBTTA members are participating in the campaign, showcasing the tolling industry’s commitment to safety through their work to build and maintain safe roads.

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.”

In the Bay Area, the Freeway Service Patrol is a joint operation between the MTC, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, a partnership known as SAFE. The patrol is a fleet of roving tow trucks deployed on Bay Area freeways and highways during peak travel times to detect and clear accidents, remove dangerous debris from the roadway, or helping stranded drivers by providing a gallon of gas, providing a jumpstart or refilling a radiator.  

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.

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.