By Ana Sorum, Intern
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation kicked off a traffic safety campaign last week to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths in two ethnic groups.
The basis behind this campaign is rooted in the numbers.
“The Latino and the African American communities across the nation are disproportionately represented when it comes to traffic crashes and fatalities,” said Major Sandra Huxtable of the Wisconsin State Patrol at a news conference.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for African-American males under age 14 and the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24. For Latinos ages 21 to 24, accidents are the leading cause of death.
The new program is designed to motivate these communities to sign the pledge promising they will always drive safe, sober, and distraction free – for themselves, their families and loved ones.
If they take the pledge to drive safely, they can be sure that they “don’t become a statistic” and reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to Zero in Wisconsin, Huxtable said.
Wisconsin DOT will host pledge events at neighborhood centers and local festivals throughout the year. You can also take the personal pledge by visiting http://zeroinwisconsin.gov/power/.