Contact Information: Contact: Dan Ronan Manager, Corporate Communications and Community Relations Office phone: 469-221-8217 Cell phone: 469-583-7070 Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com danronan@sprint.blackberry.net
AAA Texas and Austin Police Department Launch Campaign to Prevent Pedestrian Deaths in Austin
| Source: AAA Texas
AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - October 1, 2008) - AAA Texas and the Austin Police Department
kick-off a pedestrian/motorist traffic safety campaign on October 2nd at 1
p.m. on the Plaza at Austin City Hall (301 West Second Street).
Chief Art Acevedo, AAA Texas CEO Tom McKernan and other officials with the
City will be at this news conference to announce details of the plan and
take reporters' questions.
"The number of pedestrian deaths in Austin is alarming," said Police Chief
Art Acevedo. "Pedestrian/motorist crashes have claimed the lives of more
than 50 pedestrians on the streets of Austin since 2006. All of these
crashes are avoidable. Austinites that want to make a difference should
remember to always cross at a crosswalk and comply with all signs and
signals. Drivers are reminded that they are required to yield the right of
way to pedestrians in crosswalks. The life you save maybe your own."
AAA Texas and the Austin police department have partnered to create a
community program that includes a bi-lingual brochure -- Watch the Walk --
Pedestrians and Drivers Taking Action Against Auto-Pedestrian Deaths --
that will be distributed through A.P.D.'s Community Policing program as
well as local businesses, the medical community, schools and AAA Texas
offices.
"Today's culture of multi-tasking can create a potentially deadly situation
for both drivers and pedestrians who become distracted by the likes of cell
phones, blackberries, IPods, other electronic devices or food, when they
are either walking across the street or driving," said Tom McKernan, AAA
Texas CEO. "This is a shared responsibility -- all of us need to pay better
attention when we are walking across the street as well as when we are
driving."
AAA Texas' and A.P.D.'s community outreach campaign is designed to remind
pedestrians and motorists alike to Watch the Walk and watch out for
pedestrians and motorists on Austin's roadways.
AAA Texas has served members since 1902. Today, AAA Texas provides services
to its members that include roadside assistance, auto, home and life
insurance products, maps, international and domestic travel planning and
reservations; pedestrian and traffic safety programs; automotive pricing,
financial services, including consumer loans, deposit accounts and credit
cards. Information about these products and services is available on the
AAA Texas web site at www.AAA.com.