Crashes Are No Accident Week
(February 10-17)
Pendleton, Indiana – Indiana
Governor Mitch Daniels has
proclaimed the week of February
10-17, 2008 as “Crashes are No
Accident Week” in Indiana. To
promote safe driving during this
week, Indiana State Police will
continue to take an aggressive
approach to increasing seat belt
use, deterring impaired driving, and
reducing speed-related crashes.
“We are trying to reframe the way
people think about highway crashes
by pointing out that these aren’t
‘accidents’,” said Indiana State
Police Superintendent Paul E.
Whitesell, PhD. “The term ‘accident’
feeds the misconception that highway
crashes are beyond our control, when
in fact they are the predictable
results of behaviors such as
speeding, impaired driving,
following too closely and driver
distraction.”
In 2007 more than 890 Hoosier
motorists died in traffic crashes.
Most of those fatal crashes were
caused by driver errors such as
driving under the influence, driving
too fast for conditions, or
distracted driving.
The Indiana State Police would like
to offer the following tips:
Buckle Up
Never operate your vehicle until
everyone is buckled up!
Set a good example for your
children-use your seatbelt every
time.
Seatbelts are your best defense
against a drunk driver.
Always use your seatbelt
properly-over the shoulder and
across the lap and chest.
Never Drive Impaired
Don’t risk it-if you plan to drive,
don’t drink.
Choose a sober designated driver
before drinking.
Use public transportation.
Report impaired drivers by calling
911.
Page 2.
Drive Defensively, Not Aggressively
Make every attempt to safely get out
of the way of an aggressive driver.
Put your pride in the back seat.
Don’t challenge an aggressive
driver.
Avoid eye contact and ignore
gestures.
Report aggressive drivers to law
enforcement.
If an aggressive driver is involved
in a crash, report the driving
behavior you witnessed to police.
Drive Attentively
Get plenty of rest to avoid driving
while fatigued. Sleep driving is
just as dangerous as driving while
impaired.
Avoid long drives late at night.
Do not use the cruise control.
Take frequent breaks-at least every
two hours.
Avoid the primary causes of
distracted driving: cell phones,
radio, beverages and other food.
Remember to always report dangerous
or impaired drivers by calling your
local law enforcement agency or
simply dial 9-1-1.
Sergeant Michael Burns, Public
Information Officer
Pendleton, Indiana State Police Post |
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