TALK ABOUT TEXAS! KEEP KIDS ALIVE!

TALK ABOUT TEXAS!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

Dear Friend in Safety,

This note is entitled “Talk About Texas!” The story of the growth of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® in Texas is a result of the many actions taken by residents, law enforcement, public works, and neighborhood/homeowners associations over the past 10 years. Your efforts have made, and continue to make, a difference in keeping us all safer on neighborhood streets, and beyond.

Let’s take time to “Talk About Texas!”

• Texas is the 1st State to enact legislation influenced by KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®. House Bill 87 was introduced in 2005 in the wake of the death of Kyle Foster of Mesquite, who died as a result of being hit when crossing the street in front of his home on Halloween, 2003. HB 87, introduced by Representative Elvira Reyna, allows Texas Municipalities to easily lower the speed limit on residential streets from the State mandated 30 mph to 25 mph without having to do extensive engineering studies to justify doing so. It is what might be called “common sense legislation” in that data from Police Reported Accidents (1999-NHTSA) shows that the death rate for pedestrians hit in 30 mph zones is 3X that of pedestrians hit in a 25 mph zone. This reminds us that safe driving and pedestrian habits begin right in our own neighborhood.
• Mesquite hosted the 1st KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® neighborhood traffic forum in Texas in June, 2004 in memory of Kyle Foster.
• The City of Coppell, with cooperation from Public Works, Police, and the City Manager’s Office was the first city to implement KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® in conjunction with lowering their residential limit to 25 mph. Read a testimonial on the effect of the change at KKAD25 Testimonials.
• Ron Kurtin of Georgetown was the first Texan to take on a “Run to Remember” at the 2009 Austin Marathon in memory of children who have died in traffic incidents. Learn how you can get involved at KKAD25 "Run to Remember".
• The Texas Transportation Institute (Texas A&M) was the 1st traffic engineering organization in the country to include a KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® presentation at their annual membership meeting in June, 2006.
• Additional participants in KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® initiatives include Georgetown (Police Dept.), City of Oak Point, Wylie - Seis Lagos Community Services Association, and neighborhoods in Dallas, Houston (Clear Lake), Austin, San Antonio, and Katy.

Future Action!

We exist to support your continued efforts to create safer roadways for the benefit of everyone. Here are some ways that you can engage partners in your community.

• Invite your workplace to become a corporate sponsor/partner. Contact 402-334-1391 or Tom@kkad25.org to talk about possibilities.
• Be a catalyst for neighborhood/community involvement. All you need to get started is available for free at KKAD25 Start-up.
• Incorporate KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® into your local Safe Routes to School initiative. For more information on Safe Routes in Texas, visit Safe Routes TX.
• Invite your local school to help seed the campaign in your community through a KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® SCHOOL FUNDRAISER (Click here)
• Invite your local high school to create a safe-driving culture in their school - and in the community as well. (Click here to learn how)
• Your community can also benefit from on-site support to develop your community neighborhood traffic safety plan. Call 402-334-1391 or e-mail Tom@kkad25.org for information.

Thank you for all you do to make your neighborhood and community safer for all of us each day. And may you and all you care for have a safe, peaceful, and relaxing summer.

“Don’t Let the 2 Minutes You ‘Save’
Be the Last 2 Minutes of Someone’s Life.”
Adapted from David Townsend (Tia’s father)

In safety,
Tom Everson
Executive Director
KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® - A “For Action” Organization -501(c) (3)
kkad25@kkad25.org
http://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org/ – Keep up with the latest at the KKAD25 Blog.

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® and related logos and slogans (Be Aware! Drive With Care®, Check Your Speed®/No Need To Speed®, Stop! Take 3 To See®, Stop Means Stop®, Seat Belts-FASTENATING!®, and It’s Not A Race! Create Space©) are registered trademarks/copyrights of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25, P.O. Box 45563 Omaha, Nebraska, 68145. No other entities may use these or similar marks without prior permission. Call 402-334-1391 for information.