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Reducing DUI/DWI Crashes The FM 1960 DWI Corridor Experience

Reducing DUI/DWI Crashes The FM 1960 DWI Corridor Experience. Regional Safety Planning Conference: Pathways to Progress October 18, 2007 Darcy Mingoia, President Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce. A Problem in Our Community.

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Reducing DUI/DWI Crashes The FM 1960 DWI Corridor Experience

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  1. Reducing DUI/DWI CrashesThe FM 1960 DWI Corridor Experience Regional Safety Planning Conference: Pathways to Progress October 18, 2007 Darcy Mingoia, President Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce

  2. A Problem in Our Community • High incidence of fatalities due to DUI/DWI in two 7-mile corridors in NW Houston: • FM 1960 from SH 249 to I-45 (22 , 1999-2005) • SH 249 from Beltway 8 to I-45 (23, 1999-2005) • These numbers were the highest in Harris County; Harris County has the highest number of fatalities in the State and Texas leads the nation

  3. TxDOT’s Solution • Graphic 5-by-8 foot signs erected at either end of both corridors with the warning “Caution, Next 7 miles, Since 1999, 22 (23) Killed, in Alcohol-Related Crashes” • Business Community reaction: The signs will label and tarnish our community without reducing fatalities • TxDOT covered the signs • After 7-months of discussion, the signs were uncovered but in the meantime a Chamber initiative was underway…

  4. The Sign

  5. Current Sign in Woodlands Area

  6. In the meantime a Chamber initiative was underway…

  7. The Chamber Devisesa Different Strategy • HPD Officer Joe Pennington, a member of the Crime Prevention Committee, discovered the HERO campaign • Chamber adopted the campaign and committed to publicizing the need for area residents to drive responsibly and to designate a driver if drinking

  8. HERO Campaign • Acronym for Human Education Resource Officer • Campaign was launched in August 2000 by US Naval Ensign John Elliott’s family in memory of his death at the wheel of a drunken driver… • A driver that has been arrested for DWI and released to a friend shortly after that arrest • The friend allowed the driver to get behind the wheel again

  9. HERO Information www.herocampaign.org Ensign John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers PO Box 700 Somers Point, NJ 08244 1.866.700.HERO

  10. Press ConferenceLaunched the Campaign • August 2005 Press Conference announced campaign with the following stakeholders: • TxDOT • City of Houston – HPD and Council Person Toni Lawrence • Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce • Willowbrook Area Super Neighborhood • 1960 Community Alliance • Cypress-Fairbanks ISD • Cy-Fair College • State Representatives Peggy Hamric and Corbin Van Arsdale

  11. Cy-Fair Chamber Newsletter

  12. Pledge Cards

  13. Cy-Fair Chamber Recruits Pledges

  14. Other Parts of the Effort • Chamber/HPD visits bars and restaurants • *DWI (394) on your cell to report drunk drivers • Cypress-Fairbanks ISD – School Year Campaign • Monday Minutes • Website Presence • Newsletters/Flyers to Parents • Cy-Fair College – 90-day Campaign • September 21: Save a Life Tour • October 25: Community Panel and Break-Out Session • November 16: Student Panel

  15. Letter from the Elliotts to the Mayor Bill White August 29, 2005 The Honorable Mayor Bill White City of Houston P.O. Box 1562 Houston, TX 77251 Dear Mayor White: Although our family could not be with you today in person, we are with you in spirit as you become the first major city in the nation to officially adopt the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. Established in memory of our son, Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, the HERO Campaign seeks to combat drunk driving by promoting the use of sober designated drivers. It is fitting that a city in Texas would be the first to adopt our campaign. Earlier this month, President Bush signed John’s Law as part of the Highway Transportation Act, encouraging states to adopt legislation to impound the cars of drunk drivers when they are arrested. With the help of the public, the HERO Campaign seeks to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road. You now join the State of New Jersey, Major League Baseball and NFL teams, the U.S. Navy, schools, colleges, and churches across our nation who have embraced the HERO Campaign in our son’s memory. We deeply appreciate your enthusiastic and heartfelt support for our campaign to spare families the agony of losing a loved one to a drunken driver. Ensign John Elliott was truly one of our nation’s best and brightest. He was also our only son. He graduated with academic distinction from the United States Naval Academy where he was named the outstanding HERO Officer for his dedicated service to his fellow midshipmen. He was preparing to enter flight school and was traveling home for his mother’s birthday celebration when his life and dreams were ended by a drunken driver. The HERO Campaign is John’s living legacy. He dreamed of serving his country. Now, with your help, he will get his chance. May God bless you, the City Council, the Houston Police Department and all those who support and participate in the HERO Campaign. With our sincerest and fondest regards, Bill, Muriel and Jennifer Elliott

  16. Today’s Sign

  17. Contact Information: Darcy Mingoia Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce www.cyfairchamber.com 281.955.1100 darcy@cyfairchamber.com

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