Q: What is Choose Safety for Life?

A: Choose Safety for Life is a campaign to prevent traffic fatalities and injuries to engage everyone – drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists – in raising traffic safety awareness.

Similar to the Drive to Survive campaign of the 1980s, it will link to other campaigns and promote the ongoing efforts of “Click It or Ticket,” “Checkpoint Strike force” (impaired driving prevention), inattentive driving, and other ongoing campaigns.

Q: What is the campaign’s goal?

A: Zero fatalities on Maryland’s roadway system, and a substantial decrease in injuries.  The campaign complements the overall efforts in Maryland’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan.  The vision is to provide one voice for all:

• Motorists and passengers
• Pedestrians
• Cyclists
• Truckers

Q: What is the primary message of the campaign?

A: If all drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists followed the rules of the road and five basic directions when on the road, virtually all roadway fatalities could be eliminated.
            Buckle up.
            Slow down – speeding kills.
            Always drive sober.
            Focus.
            Everyone share the road – everyone gets home.

Q: What does the campaign include?

A: The campaign includes billboards, radio public service announcements, television public service announcements, posters, web banners, print advertisements and a new web site that reaches out to the Maryland’s travelers. 
Other components of the campaign include: a driver improvement program, a pledge, 100 days of safety, 105 ways to stay safe of the road, as well as Facebook and Myspace presence and drop-in information for employee newsletters.

Q: How big of a problem is this epidemic?

A:  Traffic crashes exact a toll that no one can afford.  Every year, there is an average of 101,045 of crashes that cost Maryland more than $8.76 billion.  On average, more than 101,000 people are injured every year and tragically, more than 630 people die.

• Traffic crash deaths outnumber homicides in Maryland.
• More people are injured in traffic crashes than violent crime (assault and rape).
• More people between the ages of 4 and 34 die as a result of traffic crashes injury than any other single cause.

Q: Why is another traffic safety campaign needed?

A:  Because if you are like most Marylanders, driving will be the most dangerous thing you do today.  Every day in Maryland, there are 276 crashes – nearly three crashes every 15 minutes.  More than half of those crashes will result in injury.

The goal of the Choose Safety for Life campaign is a goal we can all live with – to reduce traffic crashes – and their resulting fatalities and injuries.

Q: Can this campaign be an effective way to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries?

A:  Absolutely.  Traffic crashes are no “accident,” they are preventable and usually the result of a poor choice.  In fact, it is estimated that 93 percent of all traffic crashes are caused by driver error, so changing behavior = saving lives.
National studies indicate that driver inattentiveness contributes to 80 percent of all crashes.  When considering the fatalities that occurred last year in Maryland, about 100 people would be alive today if they had simply buckled –up.  By knowing the rules of the road and exercising vigilance, traffic crashes can be prevented, thereby reducing the crash fatalities and injuries.

Q: How can one partner in Choose Safety for Life?

A: It’s easy and costs nothing.  It is an invitation to engage, to make a difference to protect one’s communities, employees, friends and families.  Simply contact choosesafetyforlife@sha.state.md.us and sign up as a partner with this form.  You are welcome to use the downloadable posters, logos, and message, and you can even individualize them by putting your logo on them!  For ideas on how to partner, please click here.

Q: Where can I get crash statistics?

A: General crash statistics are available throughout the website under statistics.  For more specific data, please contact the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Q: How can I find out more about Maryland’s traffic laws?

A: Click here for a list of Maryland’s traffic laws.

For more information, please contact us.
Maryland State Highway Administration