Speech
Highway and Work Zone Awareness
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Bozeman, MT
4/10/2002
Thank you and good afternoon. We are gathered today to discuss an important issue -- highway safety.
I would like to address two areas in this regard – work zone safety and driving under the influence of alcohol.
As you may know, April 8 through 12 has been designated as National Work Zone Awareness Week.
Across the nation, travelers focus on the start of the construction season and increased traffic that the summer and fall seasons bring. National Work Zone Awareness Week should also bring to our attention the dangers of speeding in work zones.
In calendar year 2000, one thousand ninety three (1,093) people were killed in work zone accidents throughout the United States, three (3) of them in Montana. To those who have lost loved ones in work zone accidents, I offer my heartfelt condolences, and I ask that we all pause in remembrance of those individuals. [PAUSE]
As if the fatality statistics aren’t alarming enough, the Federal Highway Administration reports that over forty thousand (40,000) people are injured each year because of work zone crashes, five thousand (5,000) of them in large truck crashes in the year 2000. I encourage you to review the Work Zone Awareness Week fact sheet for additional details on work zone crashes and fatalities.
This year, in an effort to encourage increased driver awareness, the Montana Department of Transportation and the Montana Contractors’ Association are sponsoring a bumper sticker campaign utilizing the slogan, “I slow down in construction work zones.” [HOLD UP BUMPER STICKER.]
I salute this effort, and today I am asking Transportation Director Dave Galt to ensure that these bumper stickers are affixed to all Department of Transportation and motor pool vehicles.
I would like to kick off the campaign by placing a bumper sticker on the vehicles here today – I hope that this will serve as a reminder that we all need to “Drive slow. Think fast” when approaching a construction work zone.
[PAUSE TO PLACE BUMPER STICKER. PHOTO OP WITH DAVE GALT AND CARY HEGREBERG.]
Also this year, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, or ATSSA, is unveiling a traveling National Work Zone Memorial dedicated to honoring the thousands of men, women and children who have died in work zone crashes.
The wall, entitled Respect and Remembrance: Reflections of Life on the Road, contains panels honoring the names of work zone fatalities in each state, along with panels thanking the sponsors who have made the wall possible. The memorial wall was unveiled yesterday at a dedication ceremony in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Montana was unable to submit any names for the wall this first year because our state law prohibits the release of accident victims’ names. ATSSA, recognizing that some states could not provide the names of those killed in work zones, has stated that they will be updating the memorial annually.
I encourage anyone who has lost a loved one in this manner to contact the Montana Department of Transportation if they would like their family member’s name added to the wall. We would be honored to assist you in this effort. [PAUSE]
Sadly, as I discussed last week, alcohol is a key factor in a large number of roadway accidents and fatalities. In Montana, an average of forty percent of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, one out of nine intoxicated drivers in fatal crashes across the nation were repeat offenders with a prior DUI conviction in the past three years. In Montana, that figure is three out of ten.
Montanans deserve to live in a state that provides for the safety of their families. We must work to change this alarming statistic.
I will be working with the newly formed Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force, the Montana Department of Transportation and the Transportation Commission to develop needed proposals for the 2003 legislative session.
One of those proposals will be to change the legal DUI limit from point one zero (.10) to point zero eight (.08) Blood Alcohol Content.
Beginning October 1, 2003, the U.S. Department of Transportation will withhold certain construction funds if Montana does not have point zero eight (.08) Blood Alcohol Concentration legislation enacted.
We will lose much-needed construction funds if we don’t take this step, but we stand to lose much more than funding: the lives of those dear to us.
Our Administration will also include a proposal to address open containers of alcohol on Montana’s highways, and provide for tougher penalties for DUI offenders.
These changes will be enacted to improve safety for Montana families and to stop drunk drivers. A key component of such legislation is increasing awareness and educating people to consider options to avoid driving after drinking. People can drink responsibly, call a cab, or even choose a designated driver.
I have asked the Montana Department of Transportation to develop a program for promoting designated drivers on our highways. This is one of the ways we can help to reduce the number of DUI offenders in this state.
Again, to all those who have suffered losses – my prayers are with you. I encourage you to turn your grief into action by endorsing legislation aimed at strengthening our DUI laws. Doing so will very likely save the life of someone you love, or the loved one of another.
I will now turn the podium over to Dave Galt, who can speak about these matters from a highways perspective.
Thank you and God Bless.
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