Westown Block Watch

Back to School for the 2007-2008 Year (Keep Kids Alive Drive 25)

Aug 06, 2007

School goes back into session on Monday, August 13th. Sahuaro School has children as young as 5 years old and some of these children are walking to school with their older brothers and sisters. It is important that as we as residents use caution when traveling throught the neighborhood. There are many cars that use our neighborhood as a cut through to and from the freeway. We need to set the tone to make sure people are careful while driving through.

Take a little extra time and keep your speed down. Do not let another driver intimidate you on having to speed up. It would be very sad to let those couple of seconds saved for speeding to cause a life time of guilt and trauma for an injured child. Watch for people passing you on the right as there are no two lane roads in our neighborhood. These drivers should be reported to the police by calling 602-534-7733 or 602-262-6151.

People are always sorry after a tragedy but it would avoid a great deal of sorrow if we would be more proactive and avoid tragedy all together. We don't plan accidents, so the "It's not going to happen to me attitude" doesn't keep these tragedies from occuring. People need to respect the bike lanes and NOT drive through them. Think twice before you attempt to pass someone on the right when traveling through the intersection at 31st Ave. and Cactus. This is breaking the law. Speeding through the neighborhood really doesn't get you there any quicker but it can be hazardous. Many accidents are caused by reckless drivers not paying attention and all it takes is a second.

KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25

Fast Facts (Check these out in your community):
(from keep kids alive website)
The death rate per million miles driven on residential streets is almost 3 times the death rate on highways. (NHTSA 2004)

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 2-14 years old (NHTSA - based on 2001 figures from the National Center for Health Statistics)

Speeding Triples the Odds of Crashing (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - 2006)

It is not unusual for speeders to be clocked in excess of 40 mph (and even 50 mph on occasion) in 25-mph zones. (KKAD25)
Speeding extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle.
*At 20 mph the total stopping distance needed is 69 feet.
*At 30 mph, the distance needed is 123 feet.
*At 40 mph, the distance needed is 189 feet which may not be enough distance and time for you to avoid hitting an object or person on the road (USDOT, NHSTA)
If you hit a pedestrian:
*At 20 mph 5% will die

*At 30 mph 45% will die

*At 40 mph 85% will die