Here is the news we were looking forward to sharing! AAA will begin a nationwide Move Over campaign! They will also be providing us with a PSA to share with other organizations and media outlets.

On a personal note…When I first learned of AAA’s intentions, I have to admit that I was brought to tears (of joy). After so many years of struggling to find a way to get educational efforts out nationwide, our knight in shining armor arrived. Although a part of me wishes it could have been FORS’ doing to have efforts on such a grand scale, I am so unbelievably grateful that this is being done by AAA. As I have said before, I really don’t care how the information gets out or who gets it out as long as it gets done. I do know in my heart that we are responsible, in some way, for Move Over efforts to have percolated to this level. We can’t deny ourselves that :). When you watch what AAA does over the year, don’t think of us…think of those who died protecting us.

Thank you so much to AAA, Roush Fenway Racing and Nascar Nextel for everything you are doing to protect those who protect us. Thousands of lives will be saved by your efforts. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Here is their press release (it is attached as well)…

AAA & NATION’S FIRST-RESPONDERS ASK MOTORISTS TO “SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER”
TO REDUCE DEATHS AND INJURIES

Friday, Nov. 16, Homestead-Miami Speedway News Conference
Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers, EMTs and
Tow Truck Drivers Join in Support of
“Move Over” Laws and Increased Vigilance by Drivers

What: AAA (American Automobile Association) will host a national news conference with law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians to increase public awareness of the need to “slow down, move over” when encountering the flashing lights of a first-responder or roadside assistance vehicle, and to launch a year–long public information campaign featuring David Ragan, driver of the Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

AAA and the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition – a forum where national organizations representing traffic incident responders work together – will discuss the need for “Move Over” legislation in all 50 states that includes protection for everyone who serves the public on the roadside.

Who: AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race car driver David Ragan and national representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials will explain the need for a uniform approach to legislation that protects first-responders and other highway workers across the United States from death and injury on the roadside, as well as protection for motorists who find their vehicle stopped near moving traffic.

David Ragan’s father drove a tow truck for AAA early in his career, and David will share his personal insights on the challenges faced by those who patrol our roads and highways, as well as the need to “slow down, move over” when encountering an incident on the road or the race track. Various emergency vehicles used on and around the Homestead-Miami Speedway will be on display with opportunities for one-on-one media interviews with news conference participants.

Why: Every year approximately 200 roadside workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, tow truck drivers and EMTs are struck and killed in the United States by oncoming traffic. Countless more are injured. Stranded motorists are frequently involved in these crashes and may also be killed or injured. By remaining alert to the flashing lights commonly used on most emergency and road service vehicles, and providing these vehicles and their personnel an extra margin of safety, motorists can help reduce the frequency of these tragic situations.

When: Friday, Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m.

Where: Homestead-Miami Speedway, One Speedway Blvd., Homestead, FL 33035
Infield Press Conference Facility located beside the Infield Media Center between the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series garages.

Credentials: Media are strongly encouraged to request media credentials in advance from Homestead-Miami Speedway at 305-230-5210 or hmscredentials@homesteadmiamispeedway.com.

Contact: Christie Hyde, AAA Geoff Sundstrom, AAA
(407) 444-8003 (407) 444-8014
chyde@national.aaa.com gsundstrom@national.aaa.com

Respectfully,
Lara Feinberg
President & Founder
Families for Roadside Safety, Inc.
141 Spirea Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
www.f-o-r-s.com

Please, MOVE OVER & SLOW DOWN for Stopped Emergency & Public Service Vehicles…
Our Lives Depend On It!

I was contacted recently by someone needing information about “struck-by” statistics. These statistics are incredibly difficult to come by. It is only recently that law enforcement agencies and the like have begun tracking “struck-bys” and still many do not. Even when they are tracked, an accident could be classified as a pedestrian or “run-off” road accident. So the truth be told…there is no concrete tracking system for “struck-by” statistics. However, most departments have their own. The statistics are the visible scars left from the injuries of the struck-bys…Though it is the invisible scars that scare us the most. The scars on our hearts and souls from those we have buried. We don’t need numbers and percentages to remind us of what we have lost.

Although it would be wonderful to have a means of tracking “struck-by” statistics, we really don’t need them to mandate whether or not we should take the time or the money to educate motorists. All we need to do is go out to the interstate, stop on the side of the road and close our eyes. Can you feel the breeze? So can the thousands of men and women who work our nation’s interstates and highways. The breeze is the only thing we need to remind motorists to MOVE OVER & SLOW DOWN.

________________________________________

Our 2008 mini calendars have arrived. The calendars are 2”x3” with a peel-off back perfect for your computer or dashboard. They are $3 each and you can go to http://www.f-o-r-s.com/home/move-over-store to download an order form. If you are unable to open the form, please e-mail me and I will mail or fax one to you.

I will be out of town for several weeks in December and then will be having shoulder surgery on January 16th. If you plan to order calendars, shirts, bumper stickers, etc., I would appreciate your ordering as soon as possible. Otherwise, orer fulfillments could be delayed.

DONATION TIME!! The year is almost up for your 2007 tax deductible donations. You can either go to our website www.f-o-r-s.com and select “make a donation” to donate online, or you can send in your checks or money orders to the address below.

Please be sure to visit our website and see some of the new sections. We are still working on updating some information, so if you don’t see what you are looking for please let me know. Don’t forget … if you have STRUCK-BY accident scene photos (non-fatal), please forward them to us and we will place them on the video and media section. FORS is now the proud owner of a laptop computer. As soon as I figure out how to create PDF files, I will make the forms more user-friendly.

Our good friends at WWW.RESPONDERSAFETY.COM have put out a great Roadway Safety poster for free download! Be sure to check it out!

In the coming week or two we will be announcing some wonderful news. A national transportation safety agency is taking on Move Over education!!! There will be a great deal of national coverage for Move Over Laws! They are also producing a PSA that will be available for media outlets and other agencies to use for education purposes! We really are looking forward to sharing this with you!

Attention South Carolina residents….we now have a FORS-SC division. If you are interested in helping in SC, please let me know and I will put you in touch with Amy Soesbee and Laurie McGinness, our FORS-SC division reps.

Finally, we are still seeking volunteers who would be willing to organize and run fundraisers for FORS. If you have the time and the energy to do this, please let me know.

As always, Move Over & Slow Down for Stopped Emergency & Public Service Vehicles…Our lives depend on it…The life you save may be your own.

Respectfully,
Lara Feinberg
President & Founder
Families for Roadside Safety, Inc.
141 Spirea Drive
Waynesville, NC 28785
www.f-o-r-s.com

Please, MOVE OVER & SLOW DOWN for Stopped Emergency & Public Service Vehicles…
Our Lives Depend On It!