Lifesavers Road Safety Conference Comes to Baltimore

Annual gathering of traffic safety professionals aims to find data-driven solutions for reducing crashes

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:28pm

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An abstract, colorful image created through a slow-shutter, panning camera technique, depicting a blurred and streaked vehicle in motion, conveying a sense of speed, modern engineering, and the need for improved road safety.The Lifesavers Road Safety Conference aims to harness the power of data and collaboration to address the complex challenge of reducing traffic crashes and fatalities.Baltimore Today

The Lifesavers Road Safety Conference, the largest gathering of highway safety professionals in the country, is taking place in Baltimore this week. The conference brings together researchers, policymakers, law enforcement, and other experts to discuss strategies for improving road safety, including addressing issues like distracted driving, impaired driving, and innovative vehicle technologies.

Why it matters

Road safety is a critical issue, with thousands of lives lost each year in preventable crashes. Conferences like Lifesavers provide a platform for stakeholders to share best practices, collaborate on data-driven solutions, and ultimately work towards the goal of making roads safer for everyone.

The details

The Lifesavers Conference features a range of sessions and speakers covering the latest research and initiatives in road safety. Key topics include distracted driving, impaired driving, vehicle technology, and post-crash care. Notable participants include Erik Estrada, the actor known for his role in the TV series CHiPs, who will be speaking about his law enforcement background and the importance of traffic safety. Dr. Thomas Scalea from the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center will also be presenting on the critical role of post-crash care in saving lives.

  • The Lifesavers Road Safety Conference is taking place from April 19-21, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • The conference is an annual event, with the last edition held in 2025.

The players

Tamara Johnson

A member of the Lifesavers Conference board, Johnson is focused on bringing together traffic safety professionals to discuss data-driven strategies for reducing crashes.

Jennifer Smith

The CEO of Stopdistractions.org, Smith has a personal connection to the issue of distracted driving after losing her mother in a crash caused by a driver using a cell phone. She has been a longtime advocate for hands-free driving laws.

Erik Estrada

The actor known for his role in the TV series CHiPs, Estrada has a law enforcement background and will be speaking at the conference about his understanding of the importance of traffic safety.

Dr. Thomas Scalea

The founder of the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center, Dr. Scalea will be presenting on the critical role of post-crash care in saving lives.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards for vehicles, NHTSA will be heavily involved in this year's Lifesavers Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We see that lives can be saved when you immediately get to the crash. And we just want to touch to Jennifer. You've gone all over the country and you're actually changing legislation in some states as well.”

— Tamara Johnson, Lifesavers Conference Board Member

“In September of 2008, my mom was leaving her neighborhood and a driver talking on a cell phone, ran a red light and t-boned her car, taking her life. So from that, I just decided I had to do something and I started reaching out to other families like myself to get involved.”

— Jennifer Smith, CEO, Stopdistractions.org

What’s next

The Lifesavers Conference will continue through April 21, with attendees participating in a range of sessions and networking events aimed at developing new strategies and solutions for improving road safety. After the conference, the organizers and attendees will work to implement the ideas and initiatives discussed at the event in their respective communities and organizations.

The takeaway

The Lifesavers Road Safety Conference demonstrates the collaborative and data-driven approach needed to address the complex challenge of reducing traffic crashes and fatalities. By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, the conference provides a platform for developing innovative solutions that can be implemented at the local, state, and national levels to make roads safer for all users.