PRESS  RELEASE

Thursday, May 18, 2006

On Wednesday May 17^th, the Public Works Department completed replacing approximately 85 old “Slow Children at Play” signs throughout our City with the more modern “Keep Kids Alive ~ Drive 25” signs:

Implementing this program was suggested by Council Member Tom Malson who used his discretionary funds augmented by additional funding Vice Mayor Shelton offered from his account and approved by your City Council.

This program was first suggested at a Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting by the late John Moran and enthusiastically endorsed by the entire committee.  Councilmember Malson stepped forward with his discretionary funds joined by Vice Mayor Shelton to make this program happen.

Special thanks should go to our City Public Works Staff who jumped on this program and completed it 2-weeks ahead of schedule, just in time to celebrate Public Works Week.

Councilmember Malson would also like to remind everyone who complains about cars speeding on their residential streets – that people from Sacramento, Elk Grove, Stockton and Lodi do not come to Galt to speed up and down our streets – the one’s speeding – are us.  If you do not like cars speeding in front of your home then just take a moment, be considerate and  “Keep Kids Alive ~ Drive 25”  when driving on your neighbors street.

Fast Facts (Check these out in your neighborhood):

• Speeding in residential neighborhoods represents the single greatest complaint issue to police departments and city council representatives throughout the U.S. (KKAD25)
• Most speeders in your neighborhood live in your neighborhood. (KKAD25)
• It is not unusual for speeders to be clocked in excess of 40 mph (and even 50 mph on occasion) in 25-mph zones. (KKAD25)
• Speeding extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle.
• *At 20 mph the total stopping distance needed is 69 feet.
• *At 30 mph, the distance needed is 123 feet.
• *At 40 mph, the distance needed is 189 feet which may not be enough distance and time for you to avoid hitting an object or person on the road (USDOT, NHSTA)
• At night, when you can see only as far as your headlight (160 feet in front of your vehicle), the situation worsens.
• The effectiveness of restraint devices like air bags and safety belts, and vehicular construction features such as crumple zones and side member beams decline as impact speed increases. (USDOT, NHSTA)
• Speed, defined as exceeding the posted speed limit or traveling too fast for the conditions, is cited as a contributing factor in approximately 30% of fatal crashes. (NHSTA)
• Crash rates increase faster with an increase in speed on minor roads (which includes residential streets) than major roads. (NHTSA 2004)

Paid for by:  Committee 1246762
Last updated on 25-November-2006