On episode 249 of EHS On Tap, Julia Kite-Laidlaw, Senior Program Manager, National Safety Council’s Road to Zero Coalition, talks about the importance of preventing distracted driving.
Julia Kite-Laidlaw is the Program Manager for the Road to Zero Coalition (RTZ), an initiative of the National Safety Council (NSC). RTZ is the nation’s largest traffic safety alliance, with the goal of ending roadway deaths in the United States by 2050. Members represent a variety of stakeholders in traffic safety, including professional engineering and planning organizations, public sector organizations, safety advocates, vehicle manufacturers, technology developers, public health, emergency medical and trauma organizations, and law enforcement and judicial system representatives. RTZ promotes the Safe System Approach to preventing roadway deaths, disseminating best practices and enabling communities through the Community Traffic Safety Grants. Before joining NSC, Julia served the New York City Department of Transportation for six years as Director of Safety Policy, leading Vision Zero initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries in traffic, with a focus on pedestrians and cyclists. She began her road safety career at the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, having previously worked in policy research spanning healthcare, housing, and urban regeneration. She holds degrees from the University of California – Berkeley, London School of Economics, and Columbia University, and lives in Queens, New York City.