Fewer Highway Deaths? Thank Ralph Nader

We take a short break from our normal schedule to do our part to give substantial credit where credit is due.  Last year created a wonderful record—the fewest highway fatalities in 60 years.  From the story:

“We attribute the progress to a host of factors,” said Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, “including increased seat belt use, stronger enforcement of drunk driving laws, better roads, safer vehicles and an increasingly well-coordinated approach to safety among state stakeholders and the federal government. Secretary LaHood’s focus on distracted driving has brought an unprecedented focus to behavioral highway safety, and as a result, lives are being saved.”

This excellent approach did not happen by accident, if you will pardon the pun.  One man set us on the road to safer driving—my friend and mentor Ralph Nader.  His efforts to improve auto safety by requiring seat belts, air bags, and other safety changes beginning in the mid 1960s have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and millions of serious injuries.  Ralph has many accomplishments about which he could brag—but to me, proving the power of the individual to improve society will be his most enduring.