CYCLIST SAFETY

IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

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.

IN THE NEWS

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 …

VIEW STORY

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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Events & Initiatives

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:

May is Bicycle Safety Month.

Bicycling is good for the environment and your health. It’s good for your wallet, too: Bicycling is an inexpensive and reliable way to get to the places you want to go. Fewer vehicles on the road means less traffic air pollution. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles produce zero carbon footprint. U.S. Census reports have shown that people in low-income, marginalized communities and communities of color often rely on walking and biking as their main sources of transportation. This means safer bicycling is critical in addressing transportation inequities.

While bicycle safety is important year-round, during National Bicycle Safety Month in May we bring heightened awareness to the issue.

For Drivers

Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. When driving, look out for bicyclists and never drive distracted or impaired. Bicyclists do not have the same protections as a vehicle.
If you see a bicyclist, slow down: The higher the vehicle speed, the higher the likelihood a bicyclist will be seriously injured or killed if struck.

For Bicyclists

Just like seat belts help save lives in a motor vehicle crash, bicycle helmets save lives, too. When biking, always wear a helmet.
Compared to vehicles, bikes are harder to see because of their smaller size. To make it easier for drivers to see you, have reflectors and lights on your bike, and wear retroreflective and bright clothing.

To learn more about bicycle safety, visit this link…