AAA Michigan and SEMCOG Team Up for Spring Traffic Safety Campaign

Dearborn, Mich. (May 3, 2019) — As warmer spring weather leads to increased outdoor activity, AAA and SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, are teaming up to encourage people throughout Southeast Michigan to walk, bike, and drive safely.

In partnership with local governments and agencies throughout Southeast Michigan, SEMCOG and AAA are working to improve traffic safety through education with media, giveaway materials, and community events.

“The main goals of our partnership are to reduce the number of traffic crashes involving people who walk and bike, and to build respect and understanding among all road users,” said Kathleen Lomako, Executive Director of SEMCOG. "Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the statistics indicate there are actions we all can take to make our roads safer." 

• 94% of crashes are due to human error
• 70% of pedestrian deaths happen outside of a crosswalk
• 65% of bicyclists’ deaths happen in the dark

In support of the Walk. Bike. Drive. Safe education campaign, public service billboards, radio announcements, TV spots, at-the-pump gas station video messages, and social media posts are set to run across the Southeast Michigan media landscape this May. In addition, educational videos, graphics, and safety tips are available for downloading and posting on the Walk.Bike.Drive. Safe website.

“As an advocate for the motoring, biking, and walking public, AAA takes pride in teaming up with SEMCOG for this targeted campaign to minimize risks and promote safe behaviors during the spring season. We look forward to these messages having a positive impact on Michigan motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians,” added Heather Drake, Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, AAA Michigan.

AAA and SEMCOG offer these Walk.Bike.Drive. Safe tips:

Walk Safe

Always...

• Look left-right-left before crossing a street and watch for turning vehicles.
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey all traffic signals. Only enter the street during the “WALK” symbol when crossing at a signal.
• Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
• Yield the right-of-way to motorists and bicyclists when crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.
• Allow ample time for a vehicle to yield prior to entering the street.

Never...

• Assume drivers see you. Wait for them to stop and make eye contact before crossing a street.
• Walk after dark and in bad weather without bright and reflective clothing.
• Walk distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

Bike Safe

Always...

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Ride with traffic, not against it, including on sidewalks and paths.
• Watch for turning vehicles at intersections and driveways.
• Use your hands to signal when you plan to turn, slow down, or stop.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks.
• Give an audible warning before you pass people on a sidewalk or bicyclists on the road or path.

Never...

• Ride after dark without a white headlight, a red rear light, and bright and reflective clothing.
• Ride distracted, including talking or texting on your phone or listening to headphones.

Drive Safe

Always...

• Watch for people who are walking and biking.
• Yield to people walking and biking when turning.
• Stop or yield to people within all crosswalks. Crosswalks exist wherever sidewalks cross roads, even if no lines are painted in the road.
• Share the road with bicyclists. They are legally allowed to ride on all roads, even when there is a bike lane or side path present.
• Leave at least 3 feet when passing bicyclists.
• Obey the posted speed limit.

Never...

• Block or park in crosswalks and bike lanes.
• Pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Drive distracted, including talking or texting on your phone.
• Drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.

 

AAA in Michigan celebrated its 100^th Anniversary - A Century of Service in 2016 and has over 1.4 million members across the state. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG).  Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.8 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.

SEMCOG is a regional planning partnership of governmental units serving 4.7 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region’s quality of life. Learn more about SEMCOG HERE.

The Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan was developed by SEMCOG. It utilizes the four Es of safety: engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical services to address safety issues in the region. SEMCOG uses crash data from the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC), to update various safety resources. Based on 2017 data, SEMCOG has updated information on traffic crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries. Crash factors identified as key emphasis areas include older drivers, younger drivers, pedestrians, bicycles, lane departures, drugs, and alcohol. Learn more about the Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan HERE.