National Safety Council to host first Community Safety Summit in Austin

Safety leaders to discuss ways to make Texas safer and rally for stronger texting and prescription painkiller legislation

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National Safety Council

Mar 16, 2015, 12:00 ET

ITASCA, Ill., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council is calling on safety leaders, researchers, health professionals and students to learn and collaborate on Texas' most urgent safety issues at the Community Safety Summit in Austin March 30-31.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy

"The state's death and injury data show Texans face three significant risks: motor vehicle crashes, prescription painkiller abuse and older adult falls," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "If we do nothing, more people will die. The Summit's safety leaders and attendees are choosing to do something to reduce preventable injury and death in Texas."

Summit attendees will learn how to implement proven life-saving programs and strategies used successfully by communities across the country. Sessions will address the leading causes of injuries and deaths, including teen driving, prescription drug overdose, older adult falls, distracted driving, among others.

The Summit culminates with a rally for stronger legislation on the steps of the state capitol. Legislative champions, bill sponsors and national leaders will rally for legislation including House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 25 that bans texting for all drivers. Senate Bill 196 expands the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and House Bill 1098 improves access to naloxone, an overdose antidote.

Registration for the Summit is required; the rally is free. Visit nsc.org/communitysafetysummit for details and registration.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council