Tolling on the Front Lines of Safety: A Blueprint for Combating Distracted Driving
Distracted driving remains one of the most significant roadway safety challenges facing transportation agencies around the world. As technology continues to compete for drivers' attention, the risks extend far beyond individual behavior—they impact traffic operations, infrastructure, emergency response, roadway workers and the communities we serve.
As part of IBTTA's 2026 Be Safe Together campaign and Global Road Safety Week, the Roadway Safety Steering Committee is proud to release Tolling on the Front Lines of Safety: A Holistic Blueprint for Combating Distracted Driving—a practical resource that brings together six real-world case studies from transportation leaders across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
This publication is more than a collection of success stories. It is a blueprint for how infrastructure operators, technology providers and public agencies can work together to address distracted driving through a comprehensive, systems-based approach.
One of the report's central messages is simple: there is no single solution. Distracted driving cannot be solved through enforcement alone. Nor can it be engineered away with infrastructure or addressed solely through public awareness campaigns. Lasting progress requires multiple strategies working together—from roadway design and behavioral science to advanced technology, data analytics and rapid incident response.
The six case studies reflect that philosophy. Readers will explore how artificial intelligence and connected technologies are helping operators identify and mitigate risk before crashes occur; how roadway design and engineering can naturally recapture a distracted driver's attention; how innovative work zone strategies are protecting both motorists and frontline workers; how data and analytics are improving operational decision-making; how behavioral science is reshaping public attitudes toward distraction; and how coordinated incident response can reduce secondary crashes and improve safety across the network.
Together, these examples demonstrate that distracted driving is not simply a driver behavior issue—it is an operational challenge that demands collaboration across engineering, technology, enforcement, communications and incident management.
One of the most rewarding aspects of developing this report was bringing together experts from across the global tolling community. Each contributor shares practical lessons learned from implementing solutions in the field, providing readers with ideas that can be adapted regardless of geography or operating model. The result is a blueprint grounded in operational experience rather than theory—one that reflects the innovation, expertise and commitment of our industry.
Road safety challenges continue to evolve alongside technology and driver behavior, and our response must evolve with them. This report is intended to spark conversation, encourage collaboration and provide transportation leaders with practical ideas they can adapt to strengthen safety across their own networks. As new technologies emerge and new best practices are developed, IBTTA's Roadway Safety Steering Committee will continue building on this foundation and sharing lessons learned across the industry.
Global Road Safety Week reminds us that safer roads are built through partnership. Every agency, operator, policymaker, technology provider and industry partner has a role to play in reducing crashes and protecting the traveling public. By sharing ideas, learning from one another and embracing innovation, we can move from reactive responses to proactive solutions that save lives.
I encourage you to explore the six case studies, share them with your colleagues and consider how these strategies can strengthen your own safety programs. Most importantly, I hope you'll join IBTTA's Be Safe Together campaign by making a simple but powerful commitment to Put Your Mind in Drive.