WHAT: AAA Texas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and mothers who lost children to traffic crashes combine efforts to prevent deadly crashes over Labor Day weekend and during the school year.
WHO:
- AAA Texas Corporate Communications Manager Doug Shupe
- Jamie White, lost daughter to distracted driving crash
- Lili Trujillo Puckett, lost daughter to street racing crash
- Jackie Rhone, lost son to impaired driving crash
- TX A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Ravonne McCray
WHEN: Press Conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024
WHERE: AAA Texas South Austin Branch, 4970 U.S. 290 #310, Austin, TX 78735
WHY: With an increase in traffic on the roads over Labor Day weekend and the start of classes again in Central Texas, AAA Texas wants to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving behaviors during this busy time on our roads. Crashes are one of the leading causes of death for school-aged children. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous. Nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Kids are particularly vulnerable because they are small and less visible to drivers, do not always make safe decisions near streets, and can be easily distracted when around other kids. AAA’s School’s Open – Drive Carefully! awareness campaign began in 1946 to help reduce child pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Today, this effort is more important than ever due to the prevalence of drivers with smartphones and the increase in distracted driving and speeding on our roads.
VISUALS/INFO:
- Latest stats on ped/bike, distracted driving, and speeding incidents
- Crosswalk and sidewalk demonstrations
- Proper bike helmet fittings and helmet drop demonstrations
- Distracted driving demonstration
- B-roll of kids walking to school
- School-aged kids and their parent available for interviews