What Firefighters Can Teach Us About Roadway Safety - Keep Kids Alive!

Check out "Omaha's Bravest on Remarkable Streak."

Note that the key to having no fire fatalities for two years "has been built on better training and education of the public." This is certainly a lesson we all can take to heart in our roadway safety efforts.

Education is considered a key component of the 4 "Es" of traffic safety - Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Response. However, oftentimes communities do all they can in the areas of enforcement and engineering, and problems like speeding, stop-sign running, not buckling up, and tailgating persist.

The challenge for all of us in traffic safety day after day after day is to educate the public about the behaviors that promote safe driving once one receives a license to drive. Education must be ongoing. It is much like the need for sports teams or musical groups to practice throughout the season, not just in preparation for the first performance. We can always get better, but not without ongoing education and practice.

Certainly campaigns exist, such as "Click It or Ticket," and "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" that work to educate the public. These initiatives focus on the consequences for not doing what common sense tells us we should do. Yet, we need only pay attention to news accounts each day telling stories of loved ones whose lives are shattered as they fly out of a vehicle because they were not buckled up or who cause the death of another as a result of drinking and driving.

The companion to "consequential" education is to be pro-active in focusing upon the relational benefits of observing speed limits, stopping at stop signs and stop lights, buckling up, not drinking and driving, or engaging in any of the many behaviors associated with distracted driving. Two questions that come to mind in educating and engaging the public in these efforts are:

Who do you love?

Who loves you?

Put another way:

Who are you coming home to?

Who is coming home to you?

Preserving relationships is what good laws and our adherence to them is all about.

The State of North Dakota in promoting greater seat-belt use by pick-up drivers found that educational messages that are relationally-based have greater success in moving the positive behavior meter forward than does stressing negative consequences. Are we ready to do something positive to educate ourselves and our fellow citizens to reduce traffic deaths - today, next week, in the month ahead, in the next year?

If so, all you need to begin mobilizing, whether in your own home or neighborhood, or in your entire community, is waiting to be downloaded for free at Keep Kids Alive - Start Now.

"Don't let the 2 minutes you 'save' be the last 2 minutes of someone's life." David Townsend (Tia's dad)

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
Tom@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

8-Year-Old "Traffic Engineer" Helps Keep Kids Alive & Wins Science Fair

With a little inspiration from "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25," 8 year old Alexis, a student at Dale Mabry Elementary in Tampa, conducted a traffic safety education study that placed first in her school's science fair.

Alexis reports, "Everyone stayed at or below the speed limit of 25 mph. Only one person went over the speed limit. When I put out the sign, there were big changes. One change was that most of the people I was radaring, put their brakes on when they saw me, the sign, or another car. I was really happy to see that. I hope this will continue so that less children and adults don't get injured. I plan to go to my neighbors and tell them about your campaign (Keep Kids Alive Drive 25). Maybe they will tell their neighbors and so on and so on until the entire world knows about your campaign."

Learn more about how you can support Alexis in making a difference in preventing needless deaths and injuries by visiting www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org.

In safety,

Tom Everson

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

Stop Playing in the Street - Keep Kids Alive!

A recent phone call prompts this blog. A resident was concerned about the safety of children playing in the street since this is a common occurrence in hisneighborhood. Speaking to parents directly has done little good.

The number one parenting tip from Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is to not allow children to play in the street - it is not a playground and puts both children and motorists at risk. No motorist wants to be behind the wheel and hit a child.

With this in mind, what are your thoughts about drafting "Stop Playing in the Street" ordinances in your town? Please offer your comments, and please be civil in doing so.

Thanks!

In safety,

Tom Everson

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

Stop! Take 3 To See - Keep Kids Alive!

The reality behind this recent headline in the Denver Post begs we as motorists to take Stop Signs at face value . See Pregnant woman hit by car, baby does not survive.

Studies from Safe Kids Worldwide indicate that almost 90% of motorists do not correctly observe stop signs. The result? 200 pedestrian deaths and 17,000 injuries each year. Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is committed to educating drivers about how to correctly stop at stop signs through their Stop! Take 3 To See campaign. Find out more at Stop! Take 3 To See. Contact us at kkad25@kkad25.org to start and educational campaign in your town.

Your comments are welcome.

“Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend (Tia’s dad - Tia died when struck by a motorist who ran a stop sign while she walked with a friend in a marked crosswalk)

In safety,

Tom Everson

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)

www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

World Wide Candle Lighting - Keeping Memories Alive

December 12th -Join the The Compassionate Friends
Worldwide Candle Lighting in Memory of all Children Who Have Died

Excitement has been building as the fourteenth Worldwide Candle Lighting December 12, 2010 approaches. The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries. Learn more about how to get involved at The Compassionate Friends.
A vital piece of the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is support of families who have experienced the death of a loved one due to a traffic incident. Visit our on-line memory wall at "Run to Remember." Should you know of a loved one you would like to add to our memory wall and include in our 2011 "Run to Remember", please e-mail Tom@kkad25.org.
Our family looks forward to joining yours in the Worldwide Candle Lighting this coming Sunday, December 12th.
Lives Will Be Saved!
Big News from Our Friends at Kids and Cars – see No More Backing Blind

“Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend (Tia’s dad)

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
That children may live, remember to make your year-end tax-deductible donation today at Donate to Keep Kids Alive. Checks are also accepted. Please send to:
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
Your generous giving keeps kids living.

Little Deeds do Indeed Keep Kids Alive!

I recently came across an essay entitled "Little Seeds, Little Deeds" by Margaret Silf. She shares the story of a 6-year-old girl who heard the prime minister of England speaking of the belt-tightening necessary to help bring the country out of recession. The girl had just lost a baby tooth and had received a pound coin (about $1.60) from the tooth fairy.

Touched by the prime minister's words of concern she taped her coin to a letter and sent it to David Cameron with the request to use it "to make the country better and pay for jobs." Not only had the little girl been touched, but her action touched many deeply. Cameron sent the coin back inviting her to spend it on something nice for herself.

Silf goes on to note, "this story touches a deep truth. A 6-year-old gives away all she has so that someone else might benefit. She has it completely right. Miracles happen when we put the common good before our own personal gratification."

What does this have to do with safe driving?

Every little thing, if we are honest.

The miracle today, or any day, can be a life saved simply because we each choose to do a little deed. A little deed can be:

• Stopping at a stop sign (200 pedestrian deaths and 17,000 injuries are attributed to running stop signs)
• Observing the speed limit (33% of all traffic deaths are directly caused by speeding)
• Not tailgating (29% of crashes are the result of following too close)
• Not drinking and driving, driving while intexticated or using a cell phone in any way, or any behaviors that take our eyes of the road, our hands off the wheel, or impair our judgment in any way
• Making sure we and all our passengers are buckled up (deaths from traffic incidents could be reduced by 60% or more if only all drivers and passengers were buckled up)

As this holiday season unfolds, be part of a miracle. Engage in one or more little deeds behind the wheel that helps keep the miracle of life alive for your family, for friends, for neighbors, and for people you may never meet wherever you travel.

"Don't let the 2 minutes you 'save' be the last 2 minutes of someone's life." David Townsend (Tia's dad)

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

A License to Live - Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

Dear Friends in Traffic Safety,

When you look at your driver's license, what do you see?

Is it simply a license to drive? Or, could it be a license to live?

Viewing it as a license to live opens up all sorts of possibilities about what we each can do to ensure that all our passengers, and all other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and kids at play we encounter on or around roadways continue to experience the gift of life at the end of each day.

What does a license to live look like? It looks like:

• Buckling up, and making sure all passengers are buckled up, each and every trip - no matter how short or how long. Buckling up increases the likelihood of surviving a crash by more than 60%. Seat Belts- FASTENATING!^®.
• Putting aside distractions - cell phones, personal grooming items, food, reading materials, etc. Make driving the sole focus and purpose for being behind the wheel.
• Observing the speed limit - or go slower in the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, kids at play, or due to bad weather. Be Aware! Drive With Care^®
• Stopping at each and every stop-light and stop-sign. Stop! Take 3 To See^® - make sure the coast really is clear before proceeding. 200 pedestrians deaths and 17,000 injuries each year are the result of drivers running stop signs.
• Not tailgating - leave 3 seconds distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you. Remember, "It’s Not A Race! Create Space™." 29% of crashes are a result of poor space management.
• Taking the message "Don't Drink and Drive!" seriously. Even with the emphasis on this message for decades, still we read about alcohol-involved fatalities every day. We cannot stress this message enough.

Each day will present you with hundreds of opportunities to exercise your license to live. The life saved may be your own or someone you love.

Remember, “Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend (Tia’s dad – Tia died at age 11, when struck by a motorist who chose to go around the stopped car in front of him while she and a friend were walking across the street in a marked crosswalk.)

In safety,
Tom EversonKeep Kids Alive Drive 25 - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391

Visit our blog at KKAD25 Blog
Make your tax deductible donation today at www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org. Click KKAD25-Donate Now!
Your generous giving keeps kids living. Thanks!

Keep Kids Alive during the dark months ahead

Dear Friends in Traffic Safety,

Children face greater risk during fall and winter. As 2010 draws to an end, more motorists will find themselves driving to and from work in darkened conditions, both in the morning and the evening. Sadly, tragic news involving children will soon fill local newspaper headlines and television broadcasts. As fall fades into winter, the season is right for drivers to exercise extra caution during throughout residential areas and their daily commute.

Statistics show that children are at greater risk of being in a serious traffic accident after 3 p.m. during the fall and winter months. Extra-curricular activities often end near sundown and darkness can reduce perfect vision to just 20/50. The probability of a fatal crash is three times higher between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., researchers say.

Do your part to Keep Kids Alive during the dark months ahead. Drivers should inspect their vehicle to ensure that headlights are in proper working order, and keep windshields clear of debris that could limit visibility. Parents can remind their children to walk in groups, use sidewalks whenever possible and to cross the street only at a crosswalk.

By following these simple steps, you're doing your part to keep children out of accident news today and into 2011."

Learn more at Find My Accident

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Keep all Kids Alive this Halloween

Dear Friends,

According to a study over a 20-year period by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, four times the number of elementary and middle school-aged children were killed by a car or truck on Halloween when compared to all other evenings.

Please sound and send out the Halloween alert in your community to "Be Aware! Drive With Care," Stop! Take 3 To See" at every stop sign, and every point along the road where children are, or might be, crossing. And, slow down, scan the roadways and sidewalks for children of
all ages out and about. The life saved may be that of a neighbor child.

And remember, "Don't let the 2 minutes you 'save' be the last 2 minutes of someone's life." David Townsend (Tia's dad).

In safety,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
402-334-1391
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

MAKE YOUR TRASH TALK TO KEEP KIDS ALIVE!

KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^®

TIME TO MAKE YOUR TRASH TALK!

LET’S SEND THE KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^® MESSAGE ON EVERY TRASH CAN IN AMERICA!

That’s Right! We are working to raise donations to provide trash can decals with the KEEP KIDS ALIVEDRIVE 25^® logo to distribute to neighborhoods and cities for free. The idea is to place decals on all curbside trash/recycling bins to alert motorists in neighborhoods to observe the posted speed limit, or go even slower when children, pedestrians, cyclists are present - or the weather is bad. The City of OroValley, AZ tried this, did a study, and saw a 13.5% decrease in average speeds on neighborhood streets - motorists driving at an average speed of less than 25 miles per hour. Let’s make this happen on every neighborhood street in America.

How? Donate through KKAD25 Donate. All donations are tax-deductible.

Why donate?

Who’s in your wallet? Look at the photos of those you love and those who love you. They are always the best reason to get involved in making your neighborhood streets safer for us all. Remember, over 90 families each day in America receive news that a loved one has died in a traffic incident. Let this be the day, and Keep Kids Alive be the way, that you help to reduce this number by 1, by 2, by 3, and eventually by 90+ each day. Your commitment, your efforts, and your support make the difference.

How do you benefit?

In addition to supporting the mission of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^®, for every level of donation, we say thank you in the following ways:

For every $10.00 donation, you receive 4 decals for your trash can(s)/recycling bin(s).

For every $25.00 donation, you receive 12 decals to begin sharing with neighbors.

For every $100.00 donation, you receive 50 decals – share with neighbors.

For every donation of $250.00 or more, you receive 1 decal for each $1.00 donated. You soon will be able to get the message out on every street in your neighborhood.

Donate today at KKAD25 Donate. Your generous giving does indeed keep kids living.

“Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend – Tia’s dad

In safety,

Tom Everson
Tom Everson
KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
kkad25@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Check out the KKAD25 Blog

Become a monthly supporter at KKAD25 Membership

Who's Voice Speaks to Keep Kids Alive?

Dear Friend in Traffic Safety,

Who or what speaks the loudest when it comes to making a difference in your driving behavior?

Is it the threat of a ticket if you speed, run a red light or stop sign, don’t buckle up, drink and drive, text, or tailgate?

Or, could the silence of one who no longer lives and breathes speak the loudest?

A child like Shaye Martin, hit and killed while walking to school on a sidewalk in a school zone.

A teenager like Cady Reynolds, all buckled up driving a friend home from a movie, when struck and killed by a distracted teen driver who runs a red light, changing lives and families forever.

A child like Kyle Foster, hit and killed by a teen neighbor while crossing the street on a Halloween night.

A teenager like Ashley Steffan, innocently standing in her driveway awaiting the school bus when hit and killed by a schoolmate driving almost 60 mph on her 25 mph residential street.

Children like Tia Townsend or Sierra Feaster, both struck and killed while crossing in a marked crosswalk.

These children cannot speak out loud to us today, but their lives, the families and friends they loved and who still love them speak volumes to us about what our behaviors should be every time we get behind the wheel.

In the midst of all the good that can come from technology, from engineering and enforcement, can we listen today to the silent voices that call us to educate ourselves and others about the real reasons why we practice safe driving behaviors?

Why?

Because we take to heart and answer the questions:

Who do you love?

Who loves you?

The answers to these two questions are the best reasons we will ever find to slow down, observe speed limits, buckle up, put away cell phones and all other distraction, not tailgate, obey every stop light, stop sign, and all other traffic signs and signals.

The best reasons are people - the ones we love, the ones who love us, and the ones we love who have died. Let’s listen to their silent pleas today, and each day, to please behave with safety and care in and around motor vehicles of every kind. The life saved may well be of someone we love. Let’s start today. For support in getting started, visit www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org.

GOOD NEWS & REMINDER!

Steve Nash of Granite Bay, California made the first donation to help get the KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® message curbside on trash cans. He will distribute KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®, Be Aware! Drive With Care^®, and Check Your Speed^®/No Need To Speed^® trash can decals on International Safe Walk to School Day next Wednesday, October 6th.

Here’s how you can make trash talk in your community:

We are working to raise donations to provide trash can decals with the KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® logo to distribute to neighborhoods and cities for free. The idea is to place decals on all curbside trash/recycling bins to alert motorists in neighborhoods to observe the posted speed limit, or go even slower when children, pedestrians, cyclists are present - or the weather is bad. The City of Oro Valley, AZ tried this, did a study, and saw a 13.5% decrease in average speeds on neighborhood streets - motorists driving at an average speed of less than 25 miles per hour. Let’s make this happen on every neighborhood street in America.

How? Donate through KKAD25 Donate. All donations are tax-deductible.

Why donate?

Who’s in your wallet? Look at the photos of those you love and those who love you. They are always the best reason to get involved in making your neighborhood streets safer for us all. Remember, over 90 families each day in America receive news that a loved one has died in a traffic incident. Let this be the day, and Keep Kids Alive be the way, that you help to reduce this number by 1, by 2, by 3, and eventually by 90+ each day. Your commitment, your efforts, and your support make the difference.

How do you benefit?

In addition to supporting the mission of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25®, for every level of donation, we say thank you in the following ways:

For every $10.00 donation, you receive 4 decals for your trash can(s)/recycling bin(s).

For every $25.00 donation, you receive 12 decals to begin sharing with neighbors.

For every $100.00 donation, you receive 50 decals – share with neighbors.

For every donation of $250.00 or more, you receive 1 decal for each $1.00 donated. You soon will be able to get the message out on every street in your neighborhood.

Donate today at KKAD25 Donate. Your generous giving does indeed keep kids living.

Remember, “Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend – Tia’s dad

In safety,

Tom Everson

Tom Everson
KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
kkad25@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Check out the KKAD25 Blog

Become a monthly supporter at KKAD25 Membership