The Safe Way Home, Reports Volvo Cars of North America

Future of Road and Vehicle Safety

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- On March 6th, the Embassy of Sweden, together with the Swedish Trade Council, will host a conference, "The Safe Way Home," at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. Policymakers, researchers and industry experts will share their experiences in improving safety on our roads.

Approximately 43,000 people lose their lives on U.S. roadways every year, resulting in endless family tragedies and social costs. How is this possible and what can be done to change it?

Sweden ranks near the top among countries with the lowest number of traffic fatalities in relation to the population. A Swedish initiative called "Vision Zero" is in place with the goal of reducing traffic deaths to zero. In collaboration with Swedish road authorities and car makers, this project has already resulted in improved road systems and safer vehicles. Since Vision Zero was established, there have also been fewer people killed on Sweden's roads.

The implementation of Sweden's efforts will be highlighted, along with insights from Volvo Trucks, Volvo Cars and Saab -- some of the world's leading manufacturers of safe vehicles.

Representatives from U.S. industry, research and transportation authorities will address the main challenges facing the U.S. road network and strategies for meeting these challenges.

  Speakers:
  Claes Tingvall, Director of Traffic Safety, Swedish Road Administration;
  Chairman Euro NCAP

  Jeffrey Lindley, Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Highway
  Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation

  Ronald Medford, Senior Associate Administrator, National Highway Traffic
  Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation

  Larry W. Minor, Director, Office of Bus and Truck Standards and
  Operations, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of
  Transportation

  Rolf Rising, Director Business Analysis & Development, Invest in Sweden
  Agency; Swedish Intelligent Vehicle Safety Systems Program (IVSS)

  Peter Kissinger, President & CEO, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  Richard Pain, Transportation Safety Coordinator, Transportation Research
  Board

  Robert Clark, President, Truck Manufacturers Association

  Scott Kress, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Volvo Trucks North
  America

  Lennart Pilskog, Director of Public Affairs, Volvo Truck Corporation

  Robert C Lange, Executive Director Structure & Safety Integration,
  Saab/General Motors

  Tomas Broberg, Senior Technical Adviser Safety, Volvo Car Corporation

  RSVP: transportation@swedishtrade.se
        March 6, 2007
        2:00 pm - 5:30 pm (1:30 pm media registration)
        5.30 pm - 6.30 pm - Q&A Reception follows

        House of Sweden
        901 30th Street N.W.
        Washington, D.C. 20007