MAKE ROADS SAFE Expands in the U.S.

WASHINGTON--To prioritize road safety among governments and the private sector worldwide, MAKE ROADS SAFE has recently added to its North American staff.

Bella Dinh-Zarr was named Director, North America and Cathy Gillen has been named Director, North America Communications.

Dinh-Zarr is an accomplished public health and transportation safety professional with a unique blend of government, academic, community and private organization experience. She brings 10 years experience to MAKE ROADS SAFE. Prior to joining MAKE ROADS SAFE, Dinh-Zarr was the National Director of Traffic Safety Policy for AAA. She has worked at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Transportation Institute, the University of Texas School of Public Health, and the Institute of Child Health in London.

Gillen brings to MAKE ROADS SAFE 15 years experience in highway safety public relations and policy. She has worked with dozens of traffic safety organizations to promote their messages including NHTSA, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Ford Motor Company.

“We are thrilled to have Bella and Cathy on-board,” said Saul Billingsley, campaign coordinator. “With their winning combination of 25 years of experience in policy, research and public relations in traffic safety, they will make an excellent team to help MAKE ROADS SAFE promote its goals in the U.S. and Canada.”

Dinh-Zarr and Gillen will be signing on supporters in North America. Current North American supporters include the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, GHSA, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders, among others.

An additional focus will be preparing for the United Nation’s Road Safety Week April 23-29, 2007 which will highlight traffic safety activities in communities and raise awareness and support for the prevention of traffic injuries worldwide.

MAKE ROADS SAFE is an international campaign to put global road traffic injuries on the G8 and UN sustainable development agendas. The campaign is led by a coalition of road safety and public health organizations.

For more information on MAKE ROADS SAFE and to join the campaign, please visit www.makeroadssafe.org.