The National Center for Rural Road Safety (NCRRS) is a premier center of excellence for training, resources, technical assistance, and education on rural road safety issues. Funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), equipping rural communities to prevent all deaths and serious injuries on their roadways.
Traffic Safety Events
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April 1-30, 2025
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and to avoid distracted driving the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) has provided the following recommendations.
- Distracted driving is any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the task of safe driving. Staying focused on the road is key to driving safely.
- Using a cell phone while driving, like all other forms of distracted driving, is a risky driving behavior that poses a danger not only to vehicle occupants but pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Texting and cell phone use while driving has become the most prevalent type of distracted driving.
- Texting while driving is illegal in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Handheld phone use is prohibited while driving in 30 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Cellphone use by novice drivers is banned in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
For more information about this event, click Traffic Safety webpage.
National Work Zone Awareness Week
April 21-25, 2025
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) and hosted by North Carolina Department of Transportation are sponsoring the National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). NWZAW stands as an annual spring initiative, marking the commencement of the construction season, with the primary aim of promoting safe driving practices within roadway work zones. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. View more information on the NWZAW webpage.
American Public Works Association
National Public Works Week (NPWW)
May 18-24, 2025
This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Many times, public works professionals will never meet those whose lives have been impacted because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all. For more information about the National Public Works Week event, visit the NPWW webpage.
Free Webinars
Talking TIM (Traffic Incident Management)
March 26, 2025
10:30 am – 12:00 pm PT
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) is providing the Talking TIM webinar series, a forum where TIM practitioners can exchange information about current practices, programs, and technologies. Each month, Talking TIM will highlight successful programs, identify best practices, and showcase technology that advances the profession. For more information about this webinar, access the NOCoE website.
Edge Lane Roads – US Experience and Future Directions
March 26, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
With decades of use in many other countries, the U.S. and Canada are new to the edge lane road (ELR) treatment. Despite proven safety in the U.S., discussions of ELRs are still dominated by concern and questions about the treatment. These questions center on perceived and actual safety, the new crash modification factor for ELRs, the new AASHTO guidance, traffic calming impact, etc. Little known is the safety benefit of ELRs for drivers even where no VRUs are expected – indeed, this use may save more lives than its use as a facility for vulnerable road users. Visit the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety website to learn more. Register for the free webinar!
National Center for Rural Road Safety is providing three free Road Safety Champion Program Webinars
Road Safety Champion Program – Work Zones
March 26, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
Gain an overview of roadway work zones in rural areas and the minimum standards for various types of work zones covered in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Register to access the free webinar!
Road Safety Champion Program – Worker Safety
April 2, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
Gain an overview of potential hazards for workers and explore preventive measures for improving worker safety. Participants will learn the hierarchy of safety controls for the workplace and specific examples from roadway construction. Register to attend the free webinar!
Road Safety Champion Program – Take Action Now, Maintaining Safety
April 9, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
This course is a deep look at maintenance safety solutions that construction and maintenance personnel can implement daily. It will focus on safety topics using three FHWA documents: Vegetation Control for Safety: A Guide for Local Highway and Street Maintenance Personnel, Maintenance of Drainage Features for Safety: A Guide for Local Street and Highway Maintenance Personnel, and Maintenance of Signs and Sign Supports: A Guide for Local Roads Maintenance Personnel as the basis. Register for the webinar!.
Safe Routes Partnership
Quick Wins that Work – Finding the Right Project and Setting Up for Success
April 1, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am PT
Join Safe Routes Partnership to explore the many benefits of low-cost, community driven projects and learn how to choose the right one for your community. This webinar will share planning tips, project ideas, and examples of successful quick wins in rural, suburban, and urban settings. For more information about this webinar access the Safe Routes Partnership webpage.
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP)
Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Local Economic Development in Rural and Tribal Communities
April 2, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm PT
This session on outdoor recreation and economic development will focus on the intersection between outdoor recreation activities and their vast impacts on local economies and communities. Speakers will share a variety of examples of how tribal nations and rural communities have leaned on outdoor recreation to strengthen local economies, create jobs, advance ecotourism and environmental stewardship, and preserve culture and traditional foodways. You will hear from several Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellows and community leaders who will share their experience and work in communities to promote economic resilience and transformative change. For more information about this free webinar visit the SORP webpage.
Rural Communities Walkability and Quality of Life
April 17, 2025
11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
Join America Walks and Main Street America for a discussion on the connection of walkability, economic development, and community quality of life in rural towns. Shane Hampton of Main Street America will share national perspectives on the initiative, including providing resources and examples from around the nation. This webinar will also share case studies from local community champions on how walkability played a role in helping to revitalize their own small towns. For more information about this free webinar access the America Walks registration page.
Trainings
Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training
April 28 – May 9, 2025
International Road Federation (IRF)
IRF Members: $1,400 / Non-Members: $1,700 / US State DOTs & City Officials: $1,000
This 16-hour training program on TIM provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies and tools needed to effectively organize, plan, and implement traffic incident response operations. Participants will explore best practices for reducing congestion, ensuring responder safety, and minimizing the impact of incidents on road users. Attendees will gain insights into establishing clear communication protocols, multi-agency coordination, and quick clearance methods. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop, execute, and continuously improve robust TIM programs in their own contexts. For more information about this training, visit the IRF webpage.
Center for Health and Safety Culture’s (CHSC) Positive Culture Framework Training
April 29 – May 1, 2025
8:00 am – 1:00 pm PT Daily
The Positive Culture Framework, an approach based on research about improving health and safety in communities and organizations, builds on shared values and beliefs that already exist in a culture to improve health and safety. It addresses key skills (the how), steps in a process (the what), and the context for doing the work (the where). View full details on the Positive Culture Framework website.
For a full list of conferences outside of California, visit the National Center for Rural Road Safety website.
Contact the National Center for Rural Road Safety Center for assistance.