September 15, 2009
Dear Keep Kids Alive Supporters,
Just a note to remind you that in Texas two significant pieces of legislation have been enacted in the past few years to help create more “people friendly” environments on neighborhood streets – this includes people who walk, run, ride bikes, and drivers as well (no one wants to be behind the wheel and hit another person).
The latest, HB 2682, allows municipalities to lower the speed limit to 25 mph if the current speed limit is deemed unsafe. This builds upon HB 87 enacted in 2005 which allowed municipalities to lower limits on specified residential roads from 30 mph to 25 mph without having to do extensive engineering studies to justify the change.
HB 87 allowed the cities of Mesquite and Coppell to lower their limits. Each utilized KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® as a key educational component to engage residents in making the change a reality. Of the change in Coppell, Jason Crawford – resident and a traffic engineer with the Texas Transportation Institute, wrote:
"My community – Coppell, Texas – made headlines two years ago as it tackled this issue. As a traffic engineer by training, I was hesitant of this program and lobbied the City Council to consider other engineering, enforcement, and education alternatives so that ‘mobility’ was maintained. I have to say that since this program was adopted and the speed limits on our streets lowered (5 mph) I do feel like I am keeping my village’s children safer, that I am more alert, that I am more in control of my vehicle, that I do share those streets with pedestrians, that my ‘mobility’ has not been greatly impeded, and that streets are not for the sole purpose of drivers in vehicles trying to make their way as quickly as they can in our hurried world."
Jason Crawford, P.E
Texas Transportation Institute
No matter where we live, we are challenged to create environments that begin with how people live each day in their neighborhoods. This includes walking, running, children playing, and riding bikes as companion activities to driving or riding in a motor vehicle. The best plans to keep people safe begin with people themselves, not with motor vehicles.
Should your community be interested in developing a comprehensive, people-centered plan for creating safe environments on and around neighborhood roadways (and school zones), please be in touch with KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®. We welcome opportunities to share our resources so that neighborhoods, schools, law enforcement, public works, civic organizations, and businesses can partner in creating safe roadway environments for the benefit of all of us.
And remember:
Don’t let the two minutes you ‘save’
be the last two minutes of someone’s life.”
David Townsend (Tia’s Dad).
In safety,
Tom Everson
Executive Director & FounderKEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® - A “For Action” Organization -501(c) (3)
402-334-1391
Tom@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org – Keep up with the latest at the KKAD25 Blog.
Reminder, donate to support the mission of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25 at KKAD25 Donate . Your generous giving keeps kids living. Thanks!
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.
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