Motorists willing to spare some space on the back of their bumpers can help drive home a public outreach message aimed at making the valley’s roadways safer.

Car magnets promoting the county-organized "Bad Driving… What’s Your Excuse?" safe-driving campaign are now available while supplies last. The magnets look like miniature diamond-shaped, yellow and black caution signs and feature the "Bad Driving… What’s Your Excuse?" slogan. The county kicked off the campaign in June with a host of local and state government agencies. The effort is aimed at discouraging three common driving behaviors that cause accidents: distracted driving, running red lights or signs and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The county has 10,000 magnets, including 2,000 in Spanish. The production costs were paid for with the help of a $1,000 donation from STOP DUI.

"STOP DUI’s donation provided us with the seed money to produce these magnets and make them available to the public to help raise community awareness of the need for all of us to pay more attention when we’re driving," said Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, who helped launch the safe-driving effort with Commissioner Chip Maxfield and representatives from agency partners. In addition to STOP DUI, other agencies supporting the effort include the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Nevada Highway Patrol, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Henderson and North Las Vegas police departments, the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson, University Medical Center, and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s Club Ride Commuter Services program.

"This campaign has a shoestring budget but a lot of support among law enforcement and other agencies because we all see the need to reach out to drivers and ask them to help us make our roadways safer," said Commissioner Maxfield. "Whether you make a decision to drink and drive or take your eyes off the road to dial your cell phone, the point of our campaign is the same – people are responsible for their actions and your actions behind the wheel can cause an accident. We all need to take stock of our driving behaviors and correct any bad habits we may have before an accident occurs. "

Officials say more than 100 cars are added to Southern Nevada’s streets and highways every day, adding to an increase in motor vehicle accidents. Metro’s reported number of collisions rose from 28,501 in 2003 to 30,218 in 2004, a 6-percent increase. The number of traffic-related fatalities is at an all-time high this year, from a total of 145 in 2004 to 149 as of Sunday.

"We have logged more fatal traffic accidents this year than any other on record and we still have two months to go before 2005 is finished," said Sgt. Tracy McDonald of Metro’s Traffic Division. "Many collisions could be avoided if drivers take the message of this safe-driving campaign to heart and exercise more caution behind the wheel."

Starting the week of October 21, the magnets became visible on 200 vehicles in the county’s fleet to help spread the campaign’s message. Magnets also will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at various community centers and events, including the following locations:

• Clark County’s Public Works Department, front lobby - second floor, Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  
  
• STOP DUI, 3221 Sunrise Ave., #107, in the Spectrum Business Park near Pecos Road and Charleston Boulevard. Office hours are typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors are advised to call ahead to ensure someone is in the office. The phone number is: 456-7867 or 459-1660.

The magnets, like other elements of the "Bad Driving… What’s Your Excuse" campaign, were created in-house by Clark County Public Communications and Public Works staff. Campaign elements include a website section at www.accessclarkcounty.com and billboards now visible on the backs of 15 Citizens Area Transit buses thanks to a donation of free space from the RTC.

Clark County Television (CCTV) Channel 4 produced a series of public service announcements featuring real local drivers who caused an accident or got a ticket as a result of running red, distracted driving or DUI. The PSAs are airing on the county’s cable station as well as KCLV, Channel 2, the city of Las Vegas’ government access channel. One of the PSAs is in Spanish. A handout featuring 21 safe-driving tips also was compiled with input from Clark County Traffic School, law enforcement and the DMV. The handout, available in English and Spanish, is being distributed in Traffic School classes and is available online. Recommended tips include: Keep your full attention on your driving, don’t drink and drive – your blood/alcohol level should be zero anytime you drive, always wear seatbelts and use child restraints, even in parking lots, drive the speed limit.

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