(From Tom Everson, Founder of "Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25")
Dear Friend in Safety,
This note is about being “Motivated in Missouri.” The story of the growth of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25 in Missouri is a result of many motivated residents, law enforcement agencies, public works departments, neighborhood/homeowners associations, and businesses that have lead the way 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.
Following are examples of those who are “Motivated in Missouri!”
The City of Hazelwood (Police Dept.) is the first community in the U.S. to enact a “KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25” ordinance making residential streets “double fine” zones for speeding. The City of Wildwood is the 2nd to enact such an ordinance in conjunction with their campaign.
The City of Florissant (Police Dept.) was the 1st in the State to enact a citywide KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25® campaign.
Vicki and Gordie Faust of Lees Summit have been leading advocates for the campaign in memory of their 9 year-old son, Justin, who died as a result of being hit in November, 2004. Learn more on our "Run to Remember" page.
Our 1st “Memory Marathon” to remember all children who have died in traffic incidents was the 2007 St. Louis Marathon. Ford Motor Company Fund came on board as our 1st Corporate Sponsor to assist us in our mission.
The City of Raytown was the 1st to invite the local Hy-Vee Grocery Store to serve as a corporate partner with their campaign. The City of Belton invited their local Hy-Vee to participate as well.
The Southampton Neighborhood was the 1st in St. Louis to enact the campaign. They were followed by the St. Louis Hills and the Princeton Heights Neighborhoods.
St. Peters (City), O’Fallon (City), St. Charles (Neighborhoods), Fenton (Neighborhood), Kirkwood (Neighborhood), and Lake St. Louis (Neighborhood/City) have all initiated the campaign over the past several years.
For more information about bringing the Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25 program to your community, visit the organization's website here:
Keep Kids Alive - Drive 25
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8 comments:
I'm sorry, but I think that this organization and any "campaign" to education or convince or whatever people into driving slower is a HUGE waste of time and resources.
We need to build an environment that reduces speeds! What's another sign going to do? So a car ignores the speed limit sign, maybe coasts through (or just runs) the stop sign, weaves around the car in front of them . . . so a sign saying "Be Aware, Drive With Care" is going to do the trick?
I don't think so. Again, well meaning, but an utter waste. Even if effective, the amount of resources needed to keep campaigns consistent and ongoing in every neighborhood is truly staggering. And we should all be wary of any organization that states their goal as "zero deaths, zero injuries."
This program works. We were involved in bringing it to St. Louis. Put the signs up, cars slow down. Take them down, cars speed.
To the anonymous poster: do you have any idea how much it would cost to retrofit an existing city with the sort of improvements you are suggesting?
The cost would be prohibitive. KKA Drive 25 is a low cost, public awareness campaign. It works.
Speed bumps, wooden horses, law enforcement are not expensive. Redesigning roads for traffic calming infrastructure is much more expensive. We have 25 mph limits in our family's neighborhoods but witness daily cars going over 30 mph, many over 40.
Until we pass laws with teeth (lose drivers license for 30 days for speeding for example), campaign signs instead of law enforcement is the expensive route with few rewards. The speeders just laugh and keep their foot on the pedal.
Jon
Generally speaking, the City of St. Louis does not allow the installation of speed bumps on public streets.
Traffic law enforcement is a low priority compared to other forms of police work. The department is short staffed, so traffic law enforcement doesn't get as much attention as it does in places like, say, Bella Villa.
Having been directly involved with the KKA Drive 25 sign campaign, I have witnessed with my own eyes how effective it is. It does work, and it is very low cost. The signs are a few dollars each.
We had the most success when we'd put the signs up at different times, on the edge of the traffic lane, held in place by a home-made weighted base.
We would set them out at times when we were out in the front yard, with a lot of young neighborhood kids playing outside.
The program works. I have seen it with my own eyes and done the volunteer work to see the results.
It doesn't work without volunteers. People have to get involved.
Of course part of this effort does call for building infrastructure that dictates slower speeds.
The problem I see is that community awareness and education campaigns require indefinite and consistent involvement. However, if you get bump-outs built they'll be there for 20 years.
The problem I see is that community awareness and education campaigns require indefinite and consistent involvement.
Sort of like being a parent. Since this is about protecting kids, it's kind of the same.
With the very long blocks on some streets, coupled with one-way traffic, bump outs don't help much.
The speedway runs for the 60 or so houses down the length of the block.
"Safety for pedestrians, residents, workers and visitors is always a top priority. The District has long supported speed bumps in neighborhoods as a means to provide traffic calming. With the streamlined process we are now able to fill requests more efficiently."
http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1699813&nid=25
i really happy for this things
thanks
___________________
victor
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