Note: The following news release was distributed earlier this month by the California Office of Traffic Safety and Caltrans.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) released a new “Go Safely” public service announcement emphasizing the role all road users play, and the responsibility they share, in keeping themselves and others safe.
Titled "We Are All Human," the 15, 30- and 45-second PSAs recognize that as people, we will inevitably make mistakes, but they do not need to result in serious or tragic consequences on the road. The videos will feature road "mistakes" to highlight actions everyone can take to "go safely," whether you are walking, biking, riding, or driving.
Initially launched in 2018, "Go Safely, California" is a comprehensive education and encouragement campaign that places a top priority on safe travel habits.
"Educating the public on safe driving behaviors is one of multiple tools – along with enforcement against dangerous behaviors, safer road designs with safer speeds – that are needed to provide multiple layers of protection for everyone on the road," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said.
“No longer can we as a society accept traffic deaths as routine,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “With the Safe System approach, we are focused on changing individual behaviors as well as the system itself to be more forgiving, enabling every driver, passenger, bicyclist and pedestrian to arrive at their destination safely, every time.”
The campaign includes fundamental principles and elements of the “Safe System” Approach, which emphasizes safer street design, safer vehicles and safer people all working in concert to make crashes, when they do happen, less severe.
The new PSAs will run throughout October on digital platforms, as well as audio messages on radio and streaming services. The new PSAs will also feature the winner of the ‘Get Off Your Apps’ video contest, which encouraged Californians to create a video showing the dangers of distracted driving, and what they do to not drive distracted. Roger Lua’s winning video landed him a role in the new PSAs, which were filmed last month in Sacramento.
To view the PSAs and learn about ways to stay safe on the go, visit www.gosafelyca.org.