California's Top Traffic Safety Issues Examined at Summit 2009

Repeat Offenders and Teen Driving Key Topics

SAN FRANCISCO, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- California traffic safety and
transportation officials, along with law enforcement and advocates from
throughout the state, are meeting in San Francisco this week to discuss the
state's top traffic safety concerns, share best practices and generate
innovative ideas for improving traffic safety.

"We've seen many improvements on California roadways in the past year," said
Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Director Christopher J. Murphy. "Our mileage
death rate* is the lowest since measurements began and our seat belt use rate
is an astounding 95.7 percent. Alcohol-involved deaths are down significantly
for the first time this decade and pedestrian and bicycle deaths are down
sharply."

OTS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will use
this week's gathering to convene the top professionals from across the state
as an opportunity to discuss traffic safety trends, new programs, enforcement
and education campaigns, and the latest technology. All of these efforts will
be done to help reach the new goal of traffic safety efforts within the state
- Toward Zero Deaths, Every 1 Counts.

"The Summit provides OTS grantees, law enforcement and others the chance to
examine what's really working and identify strategies for continuing to
improve traffic safety in California," said Dr. David Manning, NHTSA Regional
Administrator. "We're seeing a real synergy between the strengthening of
traffic safety laws, public education, enforcement and even prosecution. The
Summit provides the forum to continue this momentum and continue California's
spot as the nation's leader in working toward traffic safety."

The Summit will cover many topics that are part of California's Strategic
Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), a collaborative effort of over 80 agencies and
organizations from throughout the state. The SHSP sets out a comprehensive
strategy California can follow to reduce traffic collisions in the state.

One specific program the OTS is excited about building on in 2009 is aimed at
keeping pressure on the repeat offender. The Traffic Safety Resource
Prosecutor (TSRP) Program provides mentoring and training for prosecutors and
law enforcement officers to enhance their ability to investigate, evaluate and
successfully prosecute DUI and vehicular homicide cases.

Discussions will also focus on working to reduce speed-related and motorcycle
fatalities, as well as teen safety, including the Every 15 Minutes program,
Real DUI Trials in Schools, Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations.

California's 2008 seat belt use rate was 95.7 percent, up from 92.5 percent in
2005, representing approximately 1.25 million more Californians who are
buckling up. The 2008 child safety seat use rate was 94.4, a significant
increase from the 2007 rate of 87.7 percent.

"Even though we are very proud of the progress made in California roadway
safety, we are still not satisfied," Director Murphy stated. "Speed-related
and motorcycle fatalities continue to increase and there is a lot of work left
to do."

Other state departments that will be taking part in the Summit include the
California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department
of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the Department of Public Health.

Partners for the 2009 OTS Summit include: AAA Northern California, Allstate,
Clear Channel, Ford Motor Company Fund & Community Services, Safe Kids
California, Safe Kids Worldwide and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.

* Mileage Death Rate (MDR) refers to the number of fatalities per 100 million
miles traveled.

OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
2208 KAUSEN DRIVE, SUITE 300
ELK GROVE, CA 95758
www.ots.ca.gov
(916) 509-3030
(800) 735-2929 (TT/TDD-Referral)
(916) 509-3055 (FAX)

SOURCE California Office of Traffic Safety

Chris Cochran of California Office of Traffic Safety, +1-916-509-3063, or
cell, +1-916-208-8409