Delaware- In 2014 the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) initiated the “Drive to Save Lives” campaign to reduce deaths on U.S. highways. The campaign targeted distracted and impaired driving, speeding, the use of seatbelts and the unsafe driving behaviors of operators of large trucks and buses. A combination of education and awareness, partnering with other agencies, and high-visibility traffic enforcement were used to achieve the campaign goals. These successful efforts gave the IACP a desire to continue the campaign annually.

Delaware State Police have coordinated the “Drive to Save Lives” efforts at least once a year, specifically on Delaware’s portion of I-95 for the past several years. Working alongside DSP there are 14 other participating state police and highway patrol agencies that patrol portions of I-95. Over the past four years DSP has taken their campaign coordination efforts a step further. In 2017, DSP began requesting other Delaware law enforcement agencies having patrol-related duties to be included in the campaign. As a result, numerous agencies throughout the state have been participating in this campaign. This year is proving to become the greatest teamwork effort with at least 30 Delaware municipal agencies slated to participate in the April 9^th and 10^th campaign.

Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety has continued to be a supporter of the “Drive to Save Lives” campaign. All law enforcement agencies, along with the Office of Highway Safety, are looking forward to working together during April’s campaign. With the Office of Highway Safety’s assistance, Delaware’s participating law enforcement agencies are better able to supply personnel for these high-visibility patrols.

“The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is pleased to support the Delaware State Police and municipal agencies from across the state in the “Drive to Save Lives” initiative. This is an opportunity for Delaware to participate in a nationwide event, focusing on multiple highway safety priorities, using data-driven enforcement methods and education to decrease the high-risk behaviors of drivers. These partners are committed to decreasing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways and it’s initiatives like this that can help us achieve that goal,” Sarah Cattie, Traffic Safety Program Manager, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

The Delaware State Police will be coordinating the I-95 effort, as well as the portion of the campaign that extends to other roadways throughout the state. DSP will be patrolling the state’s main corridors, while the municipal agencies will be patrolling their specific jurisdictions. The team of agencies will be highly motivated to perform traffic stops, educate operators, and issue citations. The ultimate goal is to provide education and enforcement that will lead to a decrease in the number of crashes throughout Delaware not only on April 9^th and 10^th, but into the future.

“The Delaware State Police are proud to partner with our allied agencies around the State in the 2021 Drive to Save Lives campaign.  While utilizing education and proactive enforcement strategies, Troopers will engage motorists each day with the intention to enhance driver safety and reduce fatal and serious injury collisions.   Along with our highway safety partners, we are dedicated to this nationwide effort and to our shared goals of keeping Delawareans and our visitors safe.”  Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. Follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety on ArriveAliveDE.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

LEWES (May 3, 2013) – Cape Henlopen State Park will host Driving on the Beach workshops on Saturdays, May 11 and June 15, and Sundays, May 19 and June 2. Join park rangers and surf fishing experts to learn the rules and regulations, and get tips on safe driving, how to avoid getting stuck, and how to get unstuck.

Each program meets at the Seaside Nature Center at 9:30 a.m. for an indoor presentation. Depending on the weather, the group may go for a drive on the beach, so please bring your safe driving equipment (a low-pressure tire gauge, tow rope or chain, board, jack, and shovel). The fee is $5 per person.

For more information or to pre-register, please call 302-645-6852. Park entrance fees are in effect. More information about public programs at Cape Henlopen or any Delaware State Park is available at destateparks.com/programs.

 Contact: Richard Julian, Cape Henlopen State Park, 302-645-6852 or Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 43, No. 179

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Ever experienced a close call?  Perhaps someone ran a red light or made an improper turn in front of your vehicle.  Ever had someone ride too close to your bumper?  What if you did not have the safety of a seat belt, air bag, and crumple zones when these aggressive driving behaviors happen around you.  Now imagine the risks that motorcyclists take, even when wearing their full complement of protective gear.

What you need to know

• To date, there have been 10 motorcycle fatalities (18% of the total fatalities).
• This year, to date, 8 of the 10 motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets.
• The average age of the person killed on in a motorcycle crash is 46.

What you can do

OHS would like to remind you that safe driving behaviors are the same whether you are driving a car, truck, or motorcycle:

• Always look twice before turning into traffic.
• Be vigilant when changing lanes.
• Be aware of blind spots.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Always follow the posted speed limits.
• Use proper lane position.
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Wear all appropriate safety gear – Seat belts for motorists and proper riding gear for motorcyclists.
• For all who share the road, if you see someone who is driving or riding in an unsafe manner, pull over out of the way if possible, and call 911.

Tell us what you think about traffic safety in Delaware by taking part in our annual survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OHSDriverBehaviorSurvey

Share the Road.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.

Class is in session!  What class, you ask?  Traffic Safety 101, where the course of study is safe driving behaviors.

What you need to know

Did you know that in Delaware a crash is reported every 25 minutes and a person is injured nearly every hour?  More disturbing, on average, a traffic-related fatality occurs every 3 ½ days.  Consider these facts:

• Over a three year period, the deadliest months of the year were June, July, and August.
• So far this year, 46% of all crashes have been caused by aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding and failure to yield the right of way.
• Pedestrian deaths are again on the rise in the First State.  Eleven pedestrians have been killed so far this year, accounting for almost one-quarter (21%) of all persons killed.
• Fortunately, alcohol-related deaths have declined so far this year when compared to this date in 2011, but DUI arrests are climbing steadily. Nearly 2500 people have been arrested in 2012.

What you can do

Every day there is a traffic crash in the news.  The majority of them are preventable if everyone would follow the rules of the road:

• Respect the Sign – Drive calmly and in control.  Be aware of others on the road. Follow posted
  traffic signs and signals.
• Drive Sober – Always have a safe ride home.  Designate a sober driver or plan a safe route home with DART.
• Respect your Ride – Know your motorcycle. Know the road.  Wear appropriate safety gear.
• Be visible while walking and biking – Be safe.  Be seen. Only cross the road at marked intersections and cross walks.
• Always buckle up – A seat belt is your best defense against unsafe drivers.

This is one class that you do not want to fail because the consequences can be deadly.  Apply what you have learned and you will graduate Traffic Safety 101 at the head of the class.

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is brought to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.