Former transportation research analyst for the National Transportation Safety Board brings years of expertise in the transportation sector to enhance the organization’s mission to eliminate drunk and impaired driving.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Responsibility.org announced that Dr. Ryan C. Smith begins his new role as senior director of traffic safety research and innovation.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Smith to our traffic safety team,” stated Responsibility.org Executive Director Leslie Kimball. “Ryan’s expertise in data-driven transportation safety and deep knowledge of policy issues within the DUI system will greatly benefit our mission-driven efforts to eliminate drunk and impaired driving.”
Dr. Smith joins Responsibility.org from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where he served as a transportation research analyst. The NTSB is an independent federal agency that investigates transportation incidents within the US, promotes transportation safety, and assists victims and families of transportation crashes. In this capacity, Dr. Smith’s primary responsibilities were to conduct safety research studies, support major crash investigations, and serve as a subject matter expert on the topic of alcohol and other drug impairment.
Prior to his work at NTSB, Smith led over $7M in externally funded research as a Research Scientist and founding group leader for impaired driving research at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
Dr. Smith brings a national perspective to his work, having led cross-agency efforts to improve impaired driving prevention through research, data analysis, and policy engagement. He is an active member of both national and international working groups focused on impaired-driving prevention, including the Transportation Research Board, International Council on Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety, and the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals. He is a peer reviewer for numerous leading scientific journals and serves on the Editorial Board of The Journal of Safety Research.
In his role at Responsibility.org, Smith will work within the traffic safety department, bringing his knowledge base and talent in road safety statistics and research to further the reach and expertise of the organization. He will also be integral in working with the government affairs team in their efforts to advance safety measures with policymakers.
“This mission is personal. Throughout my career—whether conducting national research, managing federal crash investigations, or collaborating with policy leaders—I’ve seen the devastating impact of impaired driving.,” said Dr. Smith. “I’m proud to be part of a team that’s committed to saving lives, advancing data-driven solutions, and reshaping how we address impaired driving at every level.”
Smith will also lend expertise and drive innovation and progress around the strategic framework of the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID), a coalition founded by Responsibility.org, to help jurisdictions prioritize multiple substance impaired driving.
Dr. Smith’s appointment reflects Responsibility.org’s continued commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions and fostering national leadership to eliminate drunk and impaired driving.
