The Massachusetts State Police and local police joined together today at the Natick District Court to raise awareness about the dangers of aggressive and distracted driving. The event kicked-off the Commonwealth's 2008 "Road Respect" Mobilization, a statewide coordinated effort involving additional directed traffic enforcement and public information that runs through April 16, 2008.
"Reducing the level of aggressive and distracted driving will keep our roadways safer," said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Mark Delaney. "We ask all drivers in Massachusetts to take a moment to reflect on their own driving behavior, then work to improve on it all year-long to help make the roadways of Massachusetts safer and less stressful for everyone."
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is providing $1.2 million of federal grant funds for the Road Respect Mobilization.
Registrar Anne Collins stated, "The Registry of Motor Vehicles is happy to be part of the Road Respect team that is working to save even more lives. The data is clear, to save lives we need drivers to slow down and wear their seatbelts. These are not complicated solutions, they do not require long term financing and high tech solutions. They just require respect."
James Butcher, an assistant chief probation officer in Westborough District Court, spoke to attendees about how aggressive driving ended the life of his 18-year-old daughter Courtney. She was killed while riding as a passenger in a speed-related crash in Leicester in the spring of 2007.
For additional information on the Road Respect Mobilization as well as tips to avoid aggressive and distracted driving, go to http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/hsd/