Proclamation 09-03

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

October 10, 2009

To the People of Franklin County, Greetings:

WHEREAS, Traffic crashes cause thousands of fatalities each year nationwide and are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 33; and

WHEREAS, Traffic crashes in Kansas killed 385 people; and

WHEREAS, More than 69 percent of all people killed in vehicle crashes in Kansas in 2008 were totally unrestrained; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol-related crashes account for 33.8 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Deaths and injuries on U.S. highway cost society more then $150 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, Safe driving behaviors such as the use of seat belts, not drinking and driving and obeying traffic laws would dramatically reduce the number of traffic-related injuries and deaths; and

WHEREAS, The use of cost-effective roadway safety improvements such as all-weather signing and markings, traffic signals, skid resistant pavements and removal of roadside hazards, could also reduce the number of traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, The continued development of safer vehicles and protective traffic safety equipment, such as helmets, will enhance people’s ability to protect themselves and their families from preventable and tragic permanent injuries and deaths:

NOW THEREFORE, we, The Board of Commissioners of Franklin County, Kansas, do hereby proclaim October 10, 2009, as,

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

in Franklin County, Kansas and call upon everyone to help save lives by spreading these important messages throughout our communities.  

/s/ Shari Perry                                                                           /s/ John E Taylor

Shari Perry, County Clerk                                                         John E Taylor, Chairman