DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act

This legislation, titled the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act , mandates the establishment of a National Roadway Safety Advocate position within the Department of Transportation's Office of the Under Secretary for Policy. This career appointment is designed to serve as a crucial link between the Department and stakeholders , which are defined as victims, survivors, and their family members affected by road crashes. The primary purposes of this role are to document and communicate stakeholder recommendations to the Secretary regarding roadway safety programs and to act as a dedicated resource and point of contact for these individuals. The National Roadway Safety Advocate is empowered to educate stakeholders on Department activities, explain complex information in accessible language, and provide aggregated feedback on the Department's regulatory agenda. The Advocate will also build relationships with stakeholders through consistent outreach, publish educational materials in multiple languages, and recommend stakeholders for advisory committee roles. While having full access to Department documents and required to meet quarterly with the Secretary and submit annual reports on systemic issues, the Advocate is explicitly limited from making Department decisions, providing legal counsel, or interfering with existing laws or regulations.