Remarks by Secretary Slater at the Announcement of a Campaign Against Red Light Running |
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Rodney E. Slater, United States Secretary of Transportation
April 30, 1998
REMARKS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RODNEY E. SLATER
AMERICAN TRAUMA SOCIETY CAMPAIGN AGAINST RED LIGHT RUNNING
APRIL 30, 1998
WASHINGTON, DC
Thank you. It is truly a pleasure to be here today to launch Phase II of the Red Light Running public education campaign. And I am delighted to welcome our private sector partners, Harry Teter, Executive Director of the American Trauma Society and Robert Eaton, CEO of the Chrysler Corporation.
A recent AAA study revealed 48 percent of Washington area drivers are more fearful of aggressive drivers than they are of drunk drivers. President Clinton’s top transportation priority is safety. So I am pleased today to be part of this announcement expanding the Red Light Running program. The campaign includes increased traffic safety education, beefed-up police presence and the latest technology to include cameras mounted in traffic signals.
This program is a successful example of what President Clinton means by public/private sector partnership. We can commend the American Trauma Society and Chrysler for devoting significant resources to take the important message about the human and economic costs of red light running to the American people.
When I was sworn in as Secretary of Transportation, I had three goals. 1) Safety as the number one priority of the DOT; 2) that we will invest in our infrastructure to ensure that America’s transportation system meets the needs and desires of the American people in the 21st century; 3) that we will use a common-sense approach to government.
I join President Clinton and Vice President Gore today to proudly announce that we are making great progress in all three areas -- and this wonderful and successful public education campaign demonstrates the progress in two of my priority areas -- safety and common sense government. The third area, building infrastructure, is being debated on Capitol Hill even as we speak.
This campaign’s safety message is clear to everyone: red light running is the leading cause of urban crashes today. Red light running’s economic impact is estimated at $7 billion each year in medical costs, time off work, insurance hikes and property damage. But Phase I of Red Light Running significantly decreased these crashes in 28 of 31 participating communities.
Demonstrating that common sense approach to government works -- where all of government and the private sector work together to achieve our nation’s goals. I applaud FHWA and NHTSA for coming together as one DOT, and joining forces with the private sector to end the preventable tragedies of intersection crashes.
This campaign brings focus to the magnitude of the problem. Too often families, loved ones are injured or killed because everyone is in a hurry -- trying to "beat the light." We must learn to share the road. Drivers have to want to be courteous. Each one of us has to take the high road to extend common courtesy to our neighbors on the road -- stop blaming the other guy.
We all can continue to build safe communities across the country -- bringing together concerned citizens, medical and health workers, business people, law enforcement, and safety advocates -- all working together to prevent traffic injuries. We can work together to be successful because the best is yet to come.
The Red Light Running Campaign is unique. It brings together all three elements of traffic safety: the road, the vehicle, and the driver. Its success demonstrates that transportation is more than concrete, asphalt and steel. Transportation is the tie that binds. It is about people -- moving people safely to jobs, school, and opportunity.
Thank you very much.
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Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)