Imagine a day with zero traffic fatalities Published Oct. 7, 2008 By Master Sgt. Christina Delp 315th AW Ground Safety CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- October 10, 2008 is the eighth annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day. The campaign asks that everyone focus on their own individual behavior when using America's roadways - as pedestrians, bicycle and motorcycle operators, motor vehicle operators and passengers. Each person is asked to take an extra measure of care to ensure their safety and the safety of others by sharing roadways with others in a safe manner. In the last eight years 174,978 men, women and children were killed on our roadways: 41,717 deaths in 1999, 41,945 fatalities in 2000, 42,196 deaths in 2001, 43,005 fatalities in 2002, 42,643 deaths in 2003, 42,836 fatalities in 2004, 43,510 fatalities in 2005, 42,708 fatalities in 2006, and 41,059 fatalities in 2007 since the beginning of the conception of this National Awareness Campaign. That's about 118 fatalities every single day - one fatality every 13 minutes. Imagine a day with zero traffic fatalities and Put the Brakes on Fatalities! The eighth annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day will be celebrated on October 10, 2008 around the nation and here in South Carolina to encourage the public to take a greater stand in keeping themselves and their loved ones from becoming one of those statistics. The goal is to unite the country in achieving one full day of zero traffic deaths by encouraging the public to reduce the tragic toll of motor vehicle crashes by taking pro-active steps such as: - Driving assertively, as if your life depends on it - that means courteously and defensively - Don't drive while impaired, distracted or in an aggressive manner - Buckling up on every trip - every time - Using properly-installed child safety seats for children age 8 and under - Don't speed, and slow down to posted speed limits in construction zones - Keeping vehicles and tires properly maintained - Wearing appropriate protective gear when bicycling, skating or riding a motorcycle or scooter - Always stopping, and looking left, right, left before crossing streets - Working with local officials to remove hazards and improve roadway safety. There is a role for every citizen airman, whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist. The good news is that by working together, we can continue to reduce traffic fatalities. By making traffic safety a priority for you and your family year-round, you just might prevent yourself or someone you love from becoming one of those 116 people who die every day on our nation's roads.