RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Donna Purcell Mayes 804-786-2717 Donna.Mayes@VDOT.Virginia.gov Sande Snead 804-225-4491

CO-0445 Oct. 5, 2004

VDOT Observes Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day®

RICHMOND – In 2003, traffic crashes caused an average of 116 fatalities every day – that’s one death every 13 minutes in America. While the rate of fatalities per vehicle miles traveled has seen a steady 20-year decline, the number of traffic fatalities has stayed at between 40,000 to 43,000 deaths annually on our nations roadways since 1993.

To combat the number of traffic fatalities, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is taking part in the fourth annual national Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day® on Oct. 10. The goal is to unite the country in achieving one full day of zero traffic deaths by encouraging safer behavior and by promoting safer roadways. This is the first year VDOT has participated.

VDOT created a Safety Information Center on its Web site /images.html.to raise awareness about its varied safety programs and efforts including Work Zone Safety, Highway Helpline, safety-related studies and research, Safety Service Patrols and Smart Traffic Centers in several areas around the state.

In addition to highlighting safety initiatives, VDOT’s Web site also features safety tips and guidelines as well as radio public service announcements for the Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day®. Ten- and 30-second PSAs are available for downloading from the Web site.

Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day® is coordinated by a coalition of more than 40 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.

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