October 10th - Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

The Board of County Commissioners proclaims support of Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day in Washington County on October 10, 2010, which marks the 10th Anniversary of the day promoting safety.

In 2002, there were over 43,000 fatalities on our highways and streets. This number has been relatively constant until 2007 when a down turn began. For 2009, the projection is approximately 34,000 fatalities - an average reduction from 118 to 93 fatalities per day. Federal and state transportation agencies, along with numerous private sector organizations and local governments, have joined the effort, addressing the need for improvements to our roadways, our vehicles and basic driver behavior.

The Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day program has promoted reducing all fatalities. Similar to the "Great American Smoke Out" efforts to reduce smoking, an initial fatality free day could be the seed leading Toward Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety on our American roadways.

Land Use and Transportation (LUT) has recently gathered a team of concerned staff from LUT, the Sheriff's Office, the CPO's, TVF&R and the Beaverton School District, who are pooling traffic safety education efforts. They began with a new county-wide web presence, where traffic safety information can be easily accessed, including our new Flashing Yellow Arrow video. The site includes links to information for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, neighborhoods with traffic concerns and even a Kids Korner.

Washington County advocates the 2010 theme Don't be Driven to Distraction: Drive to Arrive and invites the entire community to make a special commitment to reducing fatalities by becoming involved, changing unsafe driving, walking and biking habits, and educating others to do the same.

A full version of the proclamation can be found below:

Proclamation (printable version)

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