IDAHO NATIONAL
Idaho
Transportation |
Campaign strives for zero traffic fatalities Imagine one day with zero traffic deaths. That is what
safety officials are asking Americans to do as part of the Put
the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety campaign, observed annually
on Oct. 10. This Sunday (Oct. 10) is singled out for drawing attention to safety on the roads, says Lance Johnson of ITDs Office of Traffic and Highway Safety. However, a traffic crash can take a life any day of the week, any month of the year. The good news is that by taking pro-active steps, people can greatly reduce the odds of becoming a statistic, Johnson adds. "First and foremost, drive as if your life depends on it," Johnson said. "Wear your seat belt, obey speed limits, wear a helmet if you ride a motorcycle, slow down in construction and school zones, and drive sober. Other important safety practices to protect your passengers and others include using appropriate child safety seats, using crosswalks and wearing a helmet when cycling or skating. "Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for all Americans from 6 to 33 years of age. Whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, we each can make a difference to help stop the tragedy of losing loved ones on our nation's roads," he said. Last year, 26,700 crashes were reported in Idaho, resulting
in 293 deaths, an 11 percent increase from 2002.
Check out the NHTSA Web site at www.nhsta.dot.gov for vehicle safety ratings.For more traffic safety tips and information, see the Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day web site at www.brakesonfatalites.org .
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