Campaign urges safe driving awareness during holidays
In support of the annual Delaware Office of Highway Safety Safe Family Holiday campaign, Gov. John Carney has officially designated December as Safe Family Holiday Month to increase safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians during the holidays.
Carney was joined by leadership from OHS and officials from the Delaware Blue Coats basketball team when he issued the official proclamation declaring December as Safe Family Holiday Month before he and team officials signed a pledge promising to “prevent the holidays from getting ugly” by traveling safely during this time.
The month-long Safe Family Holiday campaign was developed and implemented by OHS with the support of dozens of community partners who dedicate their reach, resources and influence to increase awareness of what makes the holidays one of the most dangerous times of the year on Delaware roadways. OHS and its partners also provide Delawareans with the knowledge, tools and motivation to make responsible choices, and engage in safe driving and pedestrian habits during the season.
Earlier this year, the Office of the Governor announced several state roadway safety initiatives. In June, Carney signed several traffic safety-related bills into law, making the 2024 Safe Family Holiday campaign a natural next step in his continued support of lowering the rates of crashes and crash-related fatalities in the state.
“It’s our responsibility to do what we can to keep Delawareans safe on the roadways, and we need all drivers to do their part,” said Carney. “The most crashes on Delaware roadways have occurred between October and January. This holiday season, I’m encouraging everyone traveling in the First State to make smart decisions and commit to driving safely.”
"The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. No matter how far you are traveling during the holiday season, we encourage everyone to drive safely. We must all do our part to prevent crashes and fatalities. The Safe Family Holiday campaign encourages Delawareans to make responsible choices. I'm grateful that OHS and our partners remain committed to ensuring our roads are safe for all Delawareans and visitors during the holidays," said Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Safety and Homeland Security secretary.
Sharon Bryson, Delaware Office of Highway Safety director, said, “During this festive season, we need people to be aware of potential dangers – such as parties and alcohol consumption, dark and snowy roads, speeding to get to destinations, and more – which can lead to an increase in crashes."
“As we approach the holiday season, it's imperative that we prioritize safety on our roadways,” said Col. Melissa Zebley, Delaware State Police superintendent. “Our roads are a shared community space, and it's our collective responsibility to keep them safe. Don't let the festivities cloud your judgment and endanger yourself and others. We must ensure that we always drive sober, avoid distractions and buckle up for every trip. Additionally, we should reduce our speed to account for increased traffic and potentially hazardous weather conditions. Remember, the best gift you can give and receive during the holiday season is a commitment to responsible driving.”
Along with an integrated campaign that includes traditional and social media, community pledge-signing activations, and appearances by OHS mascots Zoey Glowey and an ugly-sweater-clad Safety Snowman, OHS, Delaware State Police and municipal law enforcement agencies are teaming up for several Safe Family Holiday enforcement periods in efforts to curb driving under the influence, speeding and distracted driving.
At press time, 2023 has seen 128 fatalities on roadways and 465 serious injuries on Delaware roads. Winter holidays in the state represent one of the most dangerous times of the year for drivers and pedestrians, with the most crashes occurring between October and January.
According to OHS, driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and pedestrian safety issues are the leading causes of holiday crashes in Delaware. Risks are elevated by snowy and icy roads as well as darkness setting in earlier. OHS reminds Delawareans to make these critical considerations before driving during the holidays:
When planning a night out that includes drinking, make sure to line up a sober ride home. With worsening road conditions, it’s extremely important to avoid distractions while driving. Put down the phone, always buckle up and focus on the road ahead. If people are walking home from celebrations, they should wear bright or reflective clothing and/or items to make themselves as visible as possible. Motorists also need to be aware of increased pedestrian activity as visibility may be impaired due to hazardous weather and shorter daylight hours during the winter months.
For more information, go to arrivealivede.com.
