Teachable Moments - Illustrating Speed Devastation

We are all doing it. Going nowhere fast. Who is paying the ultimate price for our decision to take what is happening in our daily lives and working it out while behind the wheel of our vehicles? Our family, friends, co-works and neighbors, thats who.

It has become common-place to hear of another tragedy on our roadways. Why is that? Why do we hear of this sad devastation, yet we still continue the same negligent driving practices daily thinking that we are immune. Moms, Dads, Children and grandparents are being taken from us in a moment - an average of 100 people per day die in car crashes and no one but the family members left behind of these horrific, preventable deaths are standing up to say "this is not okay and we need help combating roadway tragedy." We have amazing technology companies such as American Traffic Solutions that are making great strides in technology that teaches and aids our motorists, law enforcement and advocacy efforts, yet people stand up in protest that technology is government intrusion? WHAT? Why is this okay? We should be doing more...not less. We need to get real! We are losing our most precious loved ones and all people can do is cry about being penalized for causing crashes or complain about being ticketed for erratic driving behavior? 1.2 million lives were lost world -wide in 2015 in traffic crashes.

At the National Coalition for Safer Roads (https://ncsrsafety.org/speed-map/) and Vision Zero Network(https://www.visionzeronetwork.org) we are doing something about it! We have launched an interactive, national speed fatality map that highlights the 59,374 speed-related fatalities that occurred in the US between 2010-2015. Through its search function, the map allows viewers to find out how many speed fatalities occurred in a particular city, all the way down to the actual location.

The Ultimate goal is to honor lives lost and illustrate the dangers of speeding. The dots on the map represent a life cut too short, family and friends left to soon, and the harsh reality that speeding can affect anyone on the roadways if more actions are not taken to prevent this reckless behavior. From New York to New Mexico and Seattle to Charlotte speed related collisions are an epidemic.

"Both the emotional and financial costs of an average of 100 people dying each day in the U.S. in traffic crashes are not only heartbreaking, but a public health crisis with serious financial impacts. The National Safety Council estimates the costs involved in motor-vehicle deaths, injury and property damage -including "wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, employer costs and property damage" - cost an estimated $412.1 billion in 2015."

The "teachable moment?" It is all in that Speed Map that showcases no one is immune to road violence!

Explain to me, Why is it again that there is no Federal "Call to Action Plan" that is claiming thousands of lives that are 100% preventable? This is not a disease, we can cure this epidemic. I am personally on board, my advocacy efforts will never be dimmed and my voice will be utilized for the higher good. I want to be a part of the solution as a motorist. I want to take part in saving lives. We all have the power to just get in our vehicles and drive. Please pledge to join me.