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About the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID)
The National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID) is a national coalition dedicated to eliminating all forms of impaired driving, with a particular emphasis on multiple-substance impairment. Founded in 2021 and led by Responsibility.org, NASID advances proven, evidence-based strategies, including DUI system reform, improved impairment detection, and the effective use of data and technology to help end impaired driving on America’s roadways.
NASID brings together a diverse network of law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, judges, toxicologists, researchers, safety advocates, and industry leaders. Together, these partners provide national leadership to expand impaired driver testing, strengthen training across the criminal justice system, enhance toxicology laboratory capacity, and support programs that promote recovery and reduce recidivism.
NASID engages in state and federal advocacy, public education, and the implementation of evidence-based policies and practices. NASID works to drive meaningful, lasting change.
NASID also hosts and participates in events throughout the year to support its members, share best practices, and accelerate progress toward a future free from impaired driving.
Our Leadership
Darrin Grondel
Senior Vice President of Traffic Safety and NASID, Responsibility.org
Dr. Darrin T. Grondel is the Senior Vice President of Traffic Safety at both Responsibility.org and the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID). With extensive experience as the former Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and a commander with the Washington State Patrol, Dr. Grondel brings a deep understanding of traffic safety issues and leadership in traffic safety initiatives, especially drunk and impaired driving.
In his current role, he spearheads national efforts to eliminate drunk and drugged driving through advocacy, legislative support, programming, and technical assistance at the federal, state, local and tribal levels. A key initiative under his leadership is the development of NASID, a national coalition of subject matter experts dedicated to combating multi-substance impaired driving. This coalition aims to improve the DUI system across all stages, including prevention, training, enforcement, toxicology, adjudication, screening and assessments, probation, and treatment.
Dr. Grondel actively contributes to the traffic safety community as a member of several prominent committees, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Roadway Safety Committee, the National Sheriffs Association’s Traffic Safety Committee, Lifesavers Impaired Driving Committee, the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drugs and Impaired Driving Division, Impaired Driving Behavioral Interventions Working Group with the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, and the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals’ Impaired Driving Data Working Group and Tribal data working group.
He holds an Educational Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Global, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University. Additionally, he is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
Christiana Falcon
Senior Manager of Traffic Safety and NASID, Responsibility.org
Christiana joined Responsibility.org in 2015 and is currently Senior Manager of Traffic Safety. In this role, she supports the traffic safety team in their mission to end impaired driving. Christiana also manages the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID), a Responsibility.org coalition established to eliminate all forms of impaired driving. A graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy and a minor in International Security. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in International Affairs from King’s College London.
As an undergraduate, Christiana studied abroad at the University of Oxford and interned at the Department of State. Born in Pozzuoli, Italy, to military parents, she lived in Europe and Asia. Christiana now lives in Fairfax, VA, with her fiancé and her cavapoo, Uno. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the world.
Chris Konschak
Senior Director of Traffic Safety & Gov Relations, Responsibility.org
Chris Konschak is Senior Director, Traffic Safety and Government Relations for Responsibility.org. Chris is an impaired driving and traffic safety professional and lawyer with over 30 years of proven experience and leadership success in strategy capacity building, legislative and judicial outreach, media relations, and management of mission-driven program initiatives. Chris began his career as a Congressional Aide with Senator Alan Cranston and transitioned over to the Virginia Federation of Communities for Drug-Free Youth. He also worked within the political and criminal justice system of Virginia in a variety of capacities. Chris has devoted his life and career to serving others and working to prevent drunk and drugged driving. Responsibility.org has provided opportunities for Chris to focus on working with the judiciary to develop resources aimed at reducing impaired driving. He is an advocate for the importance of screening and assessment for substance and mental health issues for all impaired drivers.
Chris spent 17 years as the Virginia Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where he built, maintained, and expanded relationships with Virginia legislators, law enforcement, prosecutors, and a myriad of traffic safety partners. In working with DUI victims and media, his team developed a successful “Victim Stories” campaign utilizing different platforms, reaching over 96 million people. A notable accomplishment was his leadership to pass Virginia’s mandatory ignition interlock law for all DUI convictions. This policy change took approximately six years to work through the issues and challenges, but speaks to his leadership, character, and perseverance to change policy that saves lives. Chris has a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Speech Communications from the University of Richmond. He resides in Richmond, VA, with his family.
Dr. Ryan C. Smith
Senior Director, Traffic Safety Research and Innovation, Responsibility.org
Dr. Ryan C. Smith is the Senior Director of Traffic Safety Research and Innovation. In this role, he oversees a national traffic safety research agenda for Responsibility.org and the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID). Dr. Smith brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors and is a national leader in impaired driving data, research, and countermeasures.
Dr. Smith most recently served as a transportation research analyst in the Office of Research and Engineering at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). His primary duties involved conducting safety research studies, supporting major crash investigations, and providing broad technical expertise in the areas of alcohol and other drug impairment. This included advocating for key safety recommendations through media requests, legislative testimony, and stakeholder engagement. He also served as a project manager and senior highway accident investigator in the NTSB’s Office of Highway Safety where he managed high-profile crash investigations and report development. Dr. Smith also completed an interagency detail in the Office of Behavioral Safety Research at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Prior to joining the NTSB, Dr. Smith was a Research Scientist and founding group leader for impaired driving research at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. His duties involved overseeing over $7M in extramurally funded research and leading a diverse team of faculty on projects spanning impaired driving prevention and advanced vehicle technologies.
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.
He obtained his Ph.D. and Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organization Psychology from Virginia Tech. He also holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science – all from Virginia Tech.
Joey Ford
Head of Membership Engagement & Development, Responsibility.org
As the Head of Membership Engagement and Development at Responsibility.org, Joey is responsible for building and nurturing strong relationships with stakeholders, driving growth, and enhancing engagement strategies. With over 10 years of experience in membership management, community building, and organizational development, Joey brings a deep understanding of strategic planning, data-driven insights, and personalized engagement tactics to enhance the overall partnership experience. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding our stakeholder base and enhancing satisfaction through ongoing support and outreach.
A passionate advocate for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, Joey is dedicated to ensuring that Responsibility.org remains a leader in its field by providing valuable resources and opportunities to its diverse stakeholder community.
Joey holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alabama. Joey resides in Alexandria, VA, and in his free time enjoys watching the Alabama Crimson Tide, exploring new cities, and being active by hiking and playing sports.
Contact Us
Want to learn more about NASID and how you can join the fight to end impaired driving? Send us a note below.
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Brian’s Story
May 21, 2021NASID
Brian’s Story
Brian Swift
NASID Spokesperson
Brian Swift and his family’s life drastically changed on March 20, 2013, when his mother and father were hit by a logging truck driver. His father, Thomas, died on the scene, and his mother, Barbara, was transported to a hospital and ultimately died of her injuries three days later. The driver who killed Brian’s parents ran a red light and struck their car. The driver would be charged with operating a commercial motor vehicle with a suspended license, driving recklessly, and driving under the influence of a controlled substance. He tested positive for THC, the primary psychoactive and impairing component of cannabis, and was convicted. His sentence for killing Barbara and Thomas — five years imprisonment.
The devastating death of his parents inspired Brian to take action to prevent impaired driving. Brian built a coalition and successfully pushed for Michigan Public Act 242 and 243 in 2016, affectionately known as the Barbara J. and Thomas J. Swift Law, the first legislatively mandated statewide oral fluid drug testing program in the country. The pilot program began in five Michigan counties run by the Michigan State Police. It was expanded a year later to include all Michigan counties. In this effort, the idea for NASID was born.
Brian is a staunch advocate for implementing effective laws, programs, tools and technology to help prevent and stop impaired driving. NASID is proud to have Brian as its spokesperson to push for better impaired driving laws and programs throughout the United States to save lives.
