Keep Kids Alive Drive 25: Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

August, 2014 marks the 16th year since the birth of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25®. The idea for a national neighborhood-based traffic safety campaign was hatched during an early morning run at the corner of 120th and Center in Omaha, NE.

The motivation was simple, in 1998 Wendy and I were parents to 4 kids between the ages of 4 and 10. At times the speed of more than a handful of drivers on our street was cause for alarm - Omaha Police reported a high speed of 57 mph in our neighborhood and an average speed of 31 mph in our 25 mph zone. Why wait for a tragedy? Let's be proactive and create educational initiatives that encourage the practice of safe driving behaviors. Thus, the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® was born - to make streets safer for all who walk, ride, play, and drive.

The results so far:

Over 1,500 initiatives representing communities in 49 U.S. States, 3 Canadian Provinces, The Bahamas, and Queensland State, Australia. Colleagues in India, South Africa, and England have also utilized our resources.
16% decrease in average speed (6 mph) recorded in the first pre/post study conducted on the use of KKAD25 yard signs by the City of Oceanside, CA - published in the Urban Transportation Monitor
13.5% decrease in average speed (4.5 mph) recorded in the first pre/post study conducted on use of KKAD25 trash can decals by the City of Oro Valley, AZ - published in Traffic Safety Magazine (National Safety Council)
Diverse partners, including Ford's Driving Skills for Life, GEICO, Plymouth Rock Insurance (a catalyst in engaging almost 100 New Jersey communities in KKAD25 campaigns), AAA Cornhusker Motor Club, UPS, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, countless neighborhood and homeowners associations, public works departments, over 500 law enforcement agencies, school PTAs, DECA, and FBLA chapters, and the list goes on and on.
Creation of Live Forward! to support families of loved ones who have died in traffic incidents in bringing good into the world in their honor and memory.
8 years of observing Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Day in communities throughout the U.S.
8 years of Pikes Peak Run to Remember events to honor loved ones who have died in traffic incidents.
3 years of Omaha Area Run to Remember 5K events to bring area families together in honor of their loved ones.
Establish "America's Trash Talks to Keep Kids Alive"
Creation of the following educational campaigns:

Much remains to be accomplished as an average of over 90 loved ones die each day on America's roadways, as well as thousands more around the globe. Engineering advancements have worked to make roadways much safer. Yet, the real focal point for safety remains our behaviors behind the wheel along with pedestrian and cyclist behaviors on and along roadways. You are invited to make our mission your mission. Learn how to do so by being a Life Preserver each and every time you get behind the wheel.

And remember, all the reasons we should ever need to practice safe driving behaviors are found in our answers to these two questions:

1. Who do you love?

2. Who loves you?