Continental: US road deaths are ‘public health crisis’

The 40,000 deaths on US roads last year amount to a ‘public health crisis’, according to Continental North America’s president Jeff Klei. Giving the opening keynote address at ITS America’s 28th Annual Meeting & Expo, Klei said: “If you could save 40,000 lives a year, would you? We believe this situation needs to be treated with the same priority as other health crises in this country.” But help is at hand, he said. The concept of ‘Vision Zero’, where there are no fatalities from crashes, “seems a lon
June 6, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Jeff Klei of Continental: safety message
The 40,000 deaths on US roads last year amount to a ‘public health crisis’, according to 260 Continental North America’s president Jeff Klei. Giving the opening keynote address at 560 ITS America’s 28th Annual Meeting & Expo, Klei said: “If you could save 40,000 lives a year, would you?


We believe this situation needs to be treated with the same priority as other health crises in this country.”

But help is at hand, he said. The concept of ‘Vision Zero’, where there are no fatalities from crashes, “seems a long way off but it is not as far as you think if we all work together”.

With the technology that is already available “on the shelf” – such as blindspot alert, collision warning and lane assist – 12,000 lives could be saved each year, he insisted. However, drivers tend not to trust newer technology.

For example, seatbelts have been mandated in the US since 1968 and are reckoned to have saved 15,000 lives in 2017 – but Continental’s annual mobility study showed that 77% of respondents last year were worried about the reliability of automated driving.

Klei’s answer is to explain more: “Education leads to trust which leads to consumer acceptance.” Rather than using statistics, the company is taking what it calls a ‘storytelling’ approach which people tend to relate to more.

In addition, Continental is doing more research “to understand new traffic challenges” and, Klei pledged, will continue investing in advanced driver assistance systems and automated tech.

Finally, it is important that safety features are affordable and available to everyone as standard. “Safety is not an ‘option’ for premium segments only,” he concluded. “It should not require a purchaser to check a box.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IBTTA summit hits right notes in Salzburg
    December 5, 2018
    In the birthplace of Mozart, Colin Sowman found that delegates at the IBTTA’s inaugural World Tolling Summit were playing a variety of interesting tunes The first World Tolling Summit took place in Salzburg, Austria this autumn. Created and organised by the International Bridge Tolling and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the event was supported by its European counterpart Asecap and hosted by Austria’s tolling authority, Asfinag. The transfer of views, experience and practice both ways across the Atl
    Read More
  • Road safety systems implementation needs legislation
    February 27, 2012
    A few years back, as part of ongoing efforts to better myself, I took to reading the literary classics. I
    Read More
  • The ice man cometh
    August 7, 2018
    Extreme meteorological events have captured global headlines in recent years. Adam Hill talks to Vaisala’s Mark DeVries about what that means for transportation companies trying to keep roads clear. Extreme meteorological events have captured global headlines in recent years. Adam Hill talks to Vaisala’s Mark DeVries about what that means for transportation companies trying to keep roads clear
    Read More
  • Health researchers: ‘Cut speed limit during pandemic’
    April 7, 2020
    Health researchers have urged the UK government to reduce the road speed limit during the coronavirus pandemic.
    Read More

Highlighted Content