For many of us, the holidays are a time for joy.  A time for family and friends.  For many this year, the holidays bring great sorrow.  One hundred thirty-seven police officers lost their lives this year.  Over one hundred fire-fighters, medics and tow truck drivers combined were also laid to rest this year. When their families sit down for their holiday dinners, everyone at the table will be sadly aware that someone is missing.

Not all of these lives were lost in “struck-by” incidents, but the majority were automobile related.  Most of these lives were lost because of negligence, stupidity, drinking and driving, and the list can go on.  I will allow you to fill in your own adjectives.

Most of these lives were lost as a result of whom?  US!  The traveling public.  We are the ones to blame for these lost lives.  The men and women in uniform who were killed on our nation’s roads this year were out there protecting whom?  US!  The traveling public.  Can you see the pattern?

If your friends won’t hand you their keys after they have “had a few” then take them!  If your husband or wife won’t slow down through the construction zone tell them to pull off at the next exit and you drive!  If your neighbor rolls through that stop sign everyday, knock on their door.  Our laws are in place for a reason.  They were written because lives were lost.  We asked our legislators to enact these laws.  We asked our DOT for a smoother road surface.  We asked our police officers to protect us.  We asked for it.  So the next time you choose to fly through that school zone or construction zone and the nice trooper hands you a citation for $350, remember…you asked for it.  Don’t waste the time of our judges and DA’s.  You asked for the laws to protect your children.  You asked for the officers to protect you.  You asked for it.

Families for Roadside Safety has been so fortunate this year.  We have had support from coast to coast.  We have received thousands of e-mails from Florida to Washington, received over $4000 in donations and sold nearly $2000 in shirts and bumper stickers.  2006 has blessed us with a great deal of success.  In February, we were asked to be on ABC’s Good Morning America.  As a result of the GMA show, we were then asked to be on CNN and FOX News.  Thanks to GMA’s interest in doing a struck-by story, the snowball affect was thousands of lives saved.  Awareness was raised across the United States!  We also witnessed several states adding a MOVE OVER LAW to their books!

The only states that we are aware of WITHOUT A MOVE OVER LAW are:

Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

If you live in one of these states, you have some work to do.  Let us know if we can help.  Please don’t wait until another life is needlessly taken before you do something.  Lives depend on it.  Even yours!

Please don’t forget, you have less than three weeks to send in your tax-deductible donation!  FORS is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.  All donations are tax-deductible!

We now have a limited supply of 2007 calendars available!  These are small 3-inch wide, 4-inch high calendars with a peel-off sticky back!  They are available through FORS for $3 each.

This holiday season, please take your time out there.  Plan ahead, be aware and remember that every child needs their kiss goodnight.  Don’t take a child’s kiss away.  Let everyone make it home alive.

Happy Holidays from Families for Roadside Safety.