Are you concerned about speeding or vehicles operating at inappropriate speeds in your neighborhood or near your school? You can take action by following some of the simple ideas and suggestions offered below. Effective campaigns have been held for several years throughout the Madison and Dane County area.
Why is this important? The faster vehicles travel, the more likely crashes are to occur and the more severe injuries will be. Children are especially vulnerable due to their smaller stature.
If a child pedestrian is hit by a car traveling at 20 mph, 5% are killed, most injuries are slight, and 30% suffer no injuries at all. At 30 mph, 45% are KILLED and many are injured. At 40 mph, 85% ARE KILLED.
According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, pedestrian injuries are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. Each year in the United States, nearly 900 children ages 14 and under die from pedestrian injuries and another 24,000 are injured in traffic-related crashes.
Thanks to our sponsor, American Family Insurance, Safe Communities is able to provide slow down yard signs to neighborhoods (both formal associations and informal groups of neighbors), law enforcement agencies, and individuals.
Slow Down yard signs will be available starting in mid-April at many police departments, sheriff departments, and a number of American Family Insurance agencies. Check the list of locations where signs maybe gotten, or contact Safe Communities for assistance.
Suggestions for running an effective campaign (25kb pdf)
Ideas for organizing an effective campaign (27kb pdf)
Sample newsletter article for campaign (24kb pdf)
Sample flyer for neighbors (23kb pdf)
Slow Down Campaign report form (23kb pdf)
Slow Down Campaign yard sign availability
