FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
DATE, 2010 YOUR NAME AND NUMBER
TRAFFIC SAFETY RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT SCRIPTS
Seat Belts
Are you buckled up? You better be. Officers can stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. Keep yourself, friends and family safe — speak up and insist everyone is belted.
In a crash, an unbelted person can slam into and injure others in the vehicle.
Remember to wear your belt low and snug across the hips, and never tuck the belt under your arm or behind your back.
A life-saving message from the [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION].
Child Passenger Safety
Is your child properly secured in a child safety seat?
Minnesota law requires kids to be in a car seat until they are age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall — whichever comes first.
Kids should be in booster seats starting around age 4. Boosters help seat belts fit kids correctly.
Make sure your child is in the right seat and that the seat is correctly installed — visit: buckle up kids dot dps dot mn dot gov.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
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Impaired Driving
If you plan on partying, plan for a safe and sober ride. A DWI is a serious crime with serious consequences.
If you’re busted, you can lose your license for up to a year, pay thousands in court costs, legal fees and higher insurance rates…and maybe do jail time.
Make your last call a safe one — order up a sober ride.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Motorcycle
More motorcyclists are on the road than ever before.
If you’re a rider, take a rider training course and do your part to be seen in traffic by wearing reflective protective gear — and never ride impaired.
If you’re a motorist, always look twice for riders and give them room on the road.
Learn more at MotorcycleSafety dot org.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Distracted Driving
When you’re behind the wheel, focus on the road.
Talking on the phone, texting, eating, reading, changing music, and reaching for items are all serious distractions.
It takes just one second to change a routine drive into a rush to the ER.
Remember, texting and accessing the internet while driving is illegal in Minnesota.
Stay alert and stay alive. A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
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Speeding
If you’re a lead foot, here’s some heavy news for you — speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes.
Don’t put your schedule ahead of everyone else’s safety — stop tailgating, don’t try to beat lights, and pass safely and legally.
Drive at safe speeds.
Remember, the posted speed is the speed limit.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Teen Drivers
Traffic crashes are the leading killer of Minnesota teenagers — due to inexperience, distracted driving and lack of seat belt use.
Parents can help make safer teens — Be a good role model while driving, and continue to monitor and train your teen’s driving, even after they get their license.
Be sure to talk to your teen, set rules and reinforce the laws — and encourage your teen to speak up when they don’t feel safe when riding with friends.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Pedestrians
Why didn’t the pedestrian cross the road? Because the driver wasn’t paying attention.
If you’re driving, watch for pedestrians and treat every corner as if it’s a crosswalk — it’s the law. Stop for them when they’re crossing, and anticipate them crossing illegally.
If you’re a pedestrian, cross where it is safe, not where it’s convenient. And, when there is a traffic light, wait for walking light before crossing.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Deer
Maybe if deer wore blaze orange when crossing roads there wouldn’t be so many deer crashes. But that’s not the case.
Drivers: be prepared for deer —buckle up, drive at safe speeds — and if you encounter a deer, do not swerve to avoid it. Swerving can cause you to go off the road or into oncoming traffic. Don’t veer for deer.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
Winter Driving
It’s wintertime in Minnesota — here are a few things you can do to remain safe on icy and snowy roads:
· Most importantly, if conditions are too poor, avoid unnecessary travel — don’t risk it.
· Drive at safe speeds and increase the safe stopping distance between vehicles.
· Be sure to keep five car-lengths behind snow plows.
· Equip your vehicle with basic needs — scraper, small shovel, jumper cables and a bag of sand for traction.
· Finally, move over for emergency responders assisting others on the shoulder of the road.
Bundle up and buckle up — stay safe this winter.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
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Move Over
If you see flashing lights when you’re driving — move over.
It’s the law in Minnesota to move over a lane for emergency vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road with their flashing lights activated.
If you can’t move over, reduce your speeds.
Keep responders and the people they are assisting safe.
After all, they’ve got your back. Do you got theirs?
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
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Rural Driving
The deadliest roads in Minnesota aren’t in the Twin Cities.
Each year 75 percent of the state’s fatal traffic crashes occur on rural, two-lane roads — just like we have in [YOUR CITY/COUNTY/AREA].
Just because there isn’t as much traffic doesn’t mean you are not at risk.
Whenever you drive — Buckle up. Pay attention. Drive at safe speeds, and never drive impaired.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
School Bus
School buses are the safest way to travel for your children, but it’s important parents and motorists study up on some basic tips:
Parents — teach your child to stand away from the curb when they are waiting for the bus. Remind kids to always cross in front of the bus, and to walk far enough in front of the bus so the driver can see them and assist kids with crossing.
If you’re driving — stop for buses with flashing red lights. This means kids are either entering or exiting the bus. The most dangerous place for a child is directly outside a bus.
Let’s keep our kids safe this school year.
A life-saving message from [YOUR AGENCY] and [STATION]
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