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SLOW DOWN Campaign Working

Mountain Roads Safer This Year

By Michael P. Neufeld
Friday, August 29, 2008

Running Springs, CA – The SLOW DOWN campaign aimed at reducing accidents and speeds on mountain roadways is working so far in 2008, campaign officials announced as the Labor Day weekend begins.

"It's important for everyone this holiday weekend to practice safe driving, report drunk drivers by calling 911 and always wear their seat belts," spokesperson Gary Fernandez told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net.

Officer Gary Fernandez of the California Highway Patrol explains the message of the Safe Roads Committee is very simple--SLOW DOWN on mountain roads. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Fernandez, who is the public affairs officer for the California Highway Patrol in Running Springs, explained the campaign "is truly working. Slowing down is in the back of everybody's mind."

CHP figures for the Arrowhead Region indicate there have been six (6) fatalities on local roads this year including three (3) motorcyclists.

"That compares to 19 fatal crashes with 21 victims in 2007 with five (5) involving motorcyclists," Fernandez stated. In 2006, there were ten (10) fatalities with five (5) motorcyclists losing their lives. The figures do not include accidents within city limits surrounding the Arrowhead Region's service area.

"Our message this Labor Day remains the same," Fernandez stated, "SLOW DOWN."

The Safe Roads Committee consists of representatives of the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, US Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Rim of the World Unified School District, Rim Family Services and the Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Report Drunk Drivers By Calling 911 (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Meanwhile, state officials report traffic death rates in California hit an all-time low in 2007.

The number of people killed per 100 million miles driven on the state's roadways fell to the lowest level in California history. The newly released Mileage Death Rate (MDR) is 1.18 deaths per 100 million miles driven. The numbers compare with a 1.27 MDR for 2006.

"It's important to note," CHP Deputy Commissioner Skip Carter stated in a prepared press release, "that these aren't just abstract numbers. They represent lives saved of real people in California."

Officials report the three major causes of fatal crashes are speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and driving under the influence. Those three areas have been the focus of aggressive enforcement and education by traffic safety organizations like the Safe Roads Committee.

The state-issued press release indicated one of the major areas where there is room for considerable improvement is motorcycle fatalities. The number of registered riders and crashes has bucked the downward trend and is climbing.

This Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officials will be operating a maximum enforcement program to reduce the number of accidents and take DUI motorists off the roads.

California agencies involved in traffic safety stress the decline is due to safer vehicles, new roads built with safety in mind, increased focus by law enforcement officials on safety issues, and a dramatic increase in penalties for speeding and drunk driving.