FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (DATE) |
CONTACT: (NAME/PHONE NUMBER) |
(CITY, STATE) In recent years there have been approximately 40,000 traffic fatalities each year. That's about 110 fatalities every single day - one fatality every 13 minutes. Imagine a day with zero traffic deaths where all drivers make a special effort to “Put the Brakes on Fatalities!”
The ninth annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day will be celebrated on October 10, 2010 by promoting the theme “Don’t be Driven to Distraction-Drive to Arrive” in (CITY, STATE) to encourage the public to reduce driver distractions so they and their loved ones do not become one of those statistics.
In support of Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, (NAME OF ORGANIZATION) will (DESCRIBE EVENT) at (TIME) at the (LOCATION) on (DATE).
The goal is to unite the country in achieving one full day of zero traffic deaths by encouraging safer behavior and actions and by promoting safer roadways. "Motor vehicle fatalities are the leading cause of death for all Americans from 3 to 6 and 8 to 34 years old. Whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist, by working together in a concerted effort, we can make a difference to stop the fatalities from occurring on our nation's roads," said (NAME, TITLE).
The good news is that by taking pro-active steps, the public can greatly reduce the odds of becoming a statistic. "First and foremost, drive as if your life depends on it," (NAME) said. "Eliminating distractions such as text messing and talking on a cell phone, driving defensively, obeying the posted speed limits, sharing the road with other vehicles like motorcycles, bicycles, and trucks, slowing down in bad weather and in special construction and school zones, and not drinking and driving are just a few examples of how drivers can reduce their chances of being in a crash. Other important safety practices include buckling up immediately upon entering a vehicle or every time you begin a trip, using appropriate child safety seats, wearing a helmet when bicycling, motorcycling, or skating, and crossing the street in crosswalks,” (NAME) noted.
October was selected for the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day observance because it is among the peak months for traffic fatalities. In fact, October 9th was the most dangerous day of the year to be on the road in 1999: 207 people died in traffic crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). February 22 was the safest day to be on the road that year: 50 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.
Research by NHTSA shows that lap/shoulder seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger vehicle occupants by 45 percent and child safety seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. The estimated national seat belt use rate for 2008 was 83 percent based on the NHTSA’s National Occupant Use Survey. A U.S. DOT study released in May, 2009 estimates that annually 1,652 lives could be saved and 22,372 serious injuries avoided if seat belt use rose to 90 percent in every state.
In a May of 2009 news release Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, “ Wearing a seat belt costs nothing and yet it’s the single most effective traffic safety devise ever invented. We want to let American People know that by failing to wear your seat belt, you not only risk serious injury or death, you also risk getting a ticket.”
Despite the recent down trend in numbers of miles driven released by the Federal Highway Administration in February of 2009, poor road conditions and obsolete designs must be addressed in order to reduce highway deaths Drivers are encouraged to be especially alert this October 10th for roadway hazards such as narrow roads and bridges, narrow shoulders that end in steep slopes or ditches, and intersections that need improvement which could include new construction, markings and lighting. Encourage state and local officials to design roadway improvements, such as adding rumple strips, better lighting and highly reflective signs, creating separate turn lanes at dangerous intersections, constructing median barriers or widening lanes.
Proper vehicle maintenance plays an important role in reducing crashes. Check your tires for proper inflation pressure, tread wear and alignment. Winterize your vehicle if you live in a cold climate. Replace worn windshield wipers. If your vehicle has antilock brakes, operate them correctly by "stomping and steering" rather than pumping them. If you are buying a vehicle, consider safety devices and safety ratings as a top priority. Check out the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov for vehicle safety ratings.
For more traffic safety tips and information, log on to the Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day Web site at www.brakesonfatalities.org
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Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day since it’s inception has had coordination by a coalition of national safety organizations, federal, state and local government agencies and private sector companies working together to reduce the death and injury toll of motor vehicle crashes.
Data provided to update this site was obtained from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) website http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/cats/Index.aspx or
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/cats/listpublications.aspx?Id=C&ShowBy=DocType for publications.
