March 29, 2004
The focus of this year’s World Health Day is vital to the health and well being of every Michigan citizen: road safety.

While an international campaign, the message in Michigan is loud and clear as traffic safety advocates continue to push for increases in safety belt use and reductions in drunk driving through high-intensity enforcement campaigns – the two biggest factors that contribute to traffic deaths.

Following two years of significant declines in traffic deaths, Michigan’s fatality number will be relatively stable for 2003, announced the Michigan State Police, in conjunction with this week’s international event.

In 2002, 1,279 people died on Michigan roadways. While numbers are not yet finalized, it appears a similar number will be certified for 2003.

"Traffic deaths are always tragic events," said Michael L. Prince, division director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). "Loved ones are gone in an instant, often leaving families and friends to ponder a loss that could have been prevented."

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates traffic injuries take the lives of 1.2 million, men, women and children each year. And, the WHO adds, the risks are well known.

Traffic enforcement has been proven to be the single most effective means to impact driver behavior, especially for encouraging safety belt use and sober driving. High visibility traffic enforcement campaigns remain the cornerstone of traffic safety efforts in the state.

Three major campaigns are in the works for the summer, Prince announced. The state will unveil an unprecedented effort to increase safety belt use over Memorial Day weekend, with a dramatic increase in funded enforcement efforts that will substantially increase the presence of safety belt enforcement zones throughout the state.

A drunk driving crackdown over the Fourth of July period will follow that. The state will also launch a major end-of-summer safety belt push that coincides with the Labor Day holiday.