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Press Release

Nation's Largest Traffic Safety Conference Goes 'Back to Basics'
Summit Focuses on Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection

ORANGE COUNTY – More than 500 traffic safety professionals representing public and private sector organizations from throughout California will gather for the Office of Traffic Safety's Summit 2002, May 6-9 at the Hyatt Regency in Orange County.

The theme of the Summit, Back to Basics, will bring focus to critical traffic safety issues in California, including occupant protection and impaired driving. The goal of the 2002 Summit is to provide traffic safety advocates with innovative, results-driven solutions to help save lives and reduce injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

"The OTS Summit provides a forum for traffic safety professionals to collaborate and gain insight on future trends and develop innovative solutions to traffic safety challenges," said OTS Interim Director Teresa Becher. "The ideas generated at this conference help keep California on the cutting-edge in terms of traffic safety."

California currently enjoys the highest seat belt use rate in the nation at 91.1 percent, as well as the highest child safety seat use rate at 87.6 percent. In 2001, California also received the only ''A' grade from the National Safety Council and the National SAFE KIDS Campaign for it's occupant protection laws. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers graded California with an "A" in their "Rating the States" report.

"Saving lives is everyone's business," stated D.O. "Spike" Helmick, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). "Together with the progress we've made, this Summit offers key insights that will help make transportation safer for all Californians on our roadways in the 21st century.

Traffic crashes cost more than lives and injuries - they also cost Californians billions of dollars each year. Medical costs, property damage, insurance administration, productivity loss and legal and court costs all contribute to the bottom line. The OTS Summit pools public and private sector interests to maximize resources, visibility and success.

Speakers for the 2002 Summit include CHP Commissioner Helmick, Steven Gourley, Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles; and, Charles B. Reed, Ph.D., Chancellor, California State University System.

The 2002 Summit will focus on trends and programs focusing on occupant protection and impaired driving. Additionally, law enforcement and trauma prevention professionals will address the education and enforcement efforts of California's occupant protection laws. As of January 1, 2002, California law requires that children be restrained in child passenger restraint systems (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least six years old or weigh 60 pounds.

The OTS Summit was created 15 years ago to unite the state's traffic safety experts. The 2002 Summit will provide workshops and speakers to address a range of topics including occupant protection; the prevention and enforcement of under age drinking; bicycle and pedestrian safety; and other traffic safety challenges.

2002 Summit partners include the Auto Club of Southern California; California Department of Insurance, Consumer Communications Bureau; California State Automobile Association (CSAA); Cyrk; Jack Nadel; Inc.; Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America; Signatures by Shelley; State Farm and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

In California during 2000, 3,730 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes and 303,023 were injured. September 12, 2000, marked the first day California was without a traffic fatality since May 1, 1991.

For more information visit the Office of Traffic Safety Web site at www.ots.ca.gov.

 

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