SLOW DOWN!
by White Co. Safe Driving Coalition

SEARCY, Ark. (Aug. 11, 2008) "Too many people have been needlessly killed and injured in auto accidents in White County. In an effort to reduce those accidents, members of the newly formed White County Safe Driving Coalition announced a safe driving campaign today at the White County Courthouse.

Judge Michael Lincoln, along with Sheriff Ricky Shourd, spoke at a news conference to explain the purpose of the campaign. Howard Morris, superintendent of the Riverview School District, and Bob Sullivan, mayor of McRae, spoke in support of the campaign, which will be a multi-media advertising campaign.

"Over the last year, White County has experienced rapid growth in business and commerce," Lincoln said. "With that growth comes increased population and road traffic, especially commercial vehicle traffic. Road and traffic conditions in White County have become a focus for area residents and local government officials."

Shourd said vehicle speeding is a major concern. "Most all accidents could be avoided if people slowed down and drove defensively," Shourd said. "We hope this campaign will remind motorists to reduce their speed, drive safely by staying off their cell phones, not driving if sleepy and keeping their eyes on the road."

He said the advertising should make drivers realize that an accident could happen to them because it only takes a split second for one to occur.

One element of the campaign will be highway-type signs that are being offered to high schools in White County. The signs will remind students to slow down as they leave the school campus.

Morris said the safe driving message is an important one for teenagers, who are especially vulnerable to death and injury on roadways.

"Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America," Morris said. "Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers."

Sullivan shared his personal experience of losing a child in an auto accident where speeding played a role.

"Even though my son was killed in 1989, I will never get over his death. I never want any other parent to go through what I've gone through."

Other advertising elements will include print ads, radio spots, billboards, car window decals, a poster and fast food stickers.

The campaign is funded by companies working in White County in the Fayetteville Shale Play. They include Allstates Production, Armstrong Tools, ARTEXOMA Logisitics, CalFrac Well Services, Chesapeake Energy, Input Services, JM Oilfield Service, McJunkin Red Man and Premier Well Services. 

Be sure and pick up a copy of Searcy Living filled with lots more stories and photos!

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