PLAN AHEAD FOR A SAFE 4TH!

REMEMBER, BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING.

Our Vision

All North Carolinians getting where they are going safely.

While North Carolina has a dynamic community of issue-specific transportation safety advocates, what was missing was one organization with expertise in conducting high-impact public communications efforts, providing effective grassroots and grasstops citizen engagement, and serving to champion public policies that promote better behaviors to combat perils to safety across all forms and manner of transportation.

The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation (NCAST) was created to be that organization, with one goal in mind: reduce the number of transportation-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in North Carolina.

Our Mission

To drive behaviors that promote and encourage safe use of North Carolina’s transportation network.

A major focus of NCAST is promoting awareness of safety issues specific to younger motorists.

Teen drivers are especially at risk on the roads, with vehicle crashes the leading cause of death in America among those under 21.

The inexperience and impulsiveness of teen drivers is a significant reason for their high crash rates, making important the safety features of the vehicles they drive as well as getting plenty of supervised driving practice.

News, Events & Initiatives

2026 Ambassador Scholarships

NCAST’s Teen Ambassadors are wrapping up their school years, and we appreciate them! It’s great to see students get involved – especially on an issue that can affect them so seriously.

Learn who our 2026 Scholarship Recipents are, and read their letters to the editor in their local newspapers advocating for safe driving inititatives.

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As seen on: WSOC-TV

NCAST Executive Director Joe Stewart describes our Candidates for Safe Driving campaign, and reminds viewers to put the phone down and stay focused on the road.

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As seen on: Spectrum News

Teen Ambassador Trey Laurore explains why it’s important to him to make sure his friends and classmates understand the basics of being safe behind the wheel …

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Stay up to Speed on Travel Safety

Our free monthly email newsletter provides a quick review of the latest traffic safety news and events— both in North Carolina and from across the country…

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2026 Sweethearts of Safety

Our 4th annual Sweethearts of Safety Awards Luncheon in Raleigh honored exceptional leaders who have dedicated their time to making travel in North Carolina safer.

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NCAST Highlight Reel

Watch to learn about our mission and how we make an impact—promoting safe driving habits, saving lives, and reducing traffic-related injuries in NC…

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Funding for Wildlife Crossings

Wildlife crashes cost over $10 billion and 200 lives in the U.S. every year. Wildlife crossings are a cost-effective solution that help protect animals drivers from collisions…

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SPOTLIGHT:

Be A Hero — Designate Or Be A Sober Driver On The 4th.

Always drive 100% sober. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many. Plan ahead: Before you have even one drink, designate a sober driver to get you home safely. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make this decision, you might not make the best one.

You have options: designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare. Getting home safely is always worth it. If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink — and if you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

From 2020 to 2024, of the 2,719 total traffic fatalities during this holiday period, 1,724 were the driver.
In 2024 alone, there were 579 people killed in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period.
38% (654) of those drivers were drunk. Of the 1,724 drivers killed, the 21-34 age group had the highest percentage (47%) of drunk drivers.

To learn more, visit this link…