Uniting for Safer Roads: Traffic Safety Leaders Team Up to Advocate at the State House

Apr 10

Rhode Island's leading traffic safety advocates today held a joint news conference at the State House to highlight educational initiatives and advocacy efforts united by a common goal: making the state’s roads safer for everyone. The advocates urged lawmakers to support the passage of legislation aimed at implementing stricter DUI penalties, along with other critical traffic safety initiatives.

"In 2025, in a world of ride shares, taxis, public transportation and designated drivers, impaired driving is completely unacceptable, and always has been," said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. "Every day, my Office supports victims and their families at some of the darkest times in their lives, including those families who have experienced tragic loss at the hands of impaired drivers. While increasing the DUI lookback period last year was an important achievement, we must continue to advocate for further accountability measures, including strengthening and streamlining penalties for DUI offenses, as well as requiring the utilization of interlock ignition systems. Once again, I am very grateful to our legislative leaders, law enforcement partners, and advocates for their continued efforts in keeping our roads safe; there’s always more work to be done, and I look forward to their continued partnership."

"At RIDOT we are working hard to change a culture," said Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Jr. "With all our safety partners, community partners, police departments and lawmakers, we will keep at it – day in and day out. We will keep funding education. We will keep funding enforcement. We will keep funding emergency medical services. We will keep working toward our goal of being the first state to have zero fatalities."

"Keeping our roadways safe for everyone who travels in our state is a core objective for the Rhode Island State Police," said Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety. "We use all the tools at our disposal: enforcement, education, and collaboration. The dedicated men and women of our agency are on our roads every day, enforcing traffic laws and being a visible – and 'always there' presence that reminds Rhode Islanders of our collective commitment to highway safety."

"Law enforcment agencies across Rhode Island are committed to promoting traffic safety in every form—whether it's addressing speeding, impaired driving, proper car seat use, seat belt compliance, or other roadway risks," said Chief Thomas Oates, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Chief of Woonsocket Police. "Each of these components plays a critical role in protecting not only drivers, but all who share our roads. This year, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association is placing a strong emphasis on distracted driving and our message is clear: make safe driving your only distraction."

"While we’ve made strides toward decreasing traffic fatalities, even one life lost is one too many," said Jillian Young, Director of Public Relations at AAA Northeast. "From working to eliminate distracted driving to increasing awareness about lifesaving Slow Down, Move Over laws, collaboration among stakeholders is critical to reducing the number of crashes on Rhode Island’s roads."

"MADD stands united with our traffic safety partners to create safer roads in Rhode Island," said Jennifer O'Neil, Program Manager for MADD RI. "The voices and experiences of victims and survivors fuel our mission, driving us forward in the relentless fight to end impaired driving once and for all."

Traffic Safety Day at the State House included a tabling event for leading traffic safety organizations including: