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SACRAMENTO – The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans today kicked off the "Better Slow Than Sorry" campaign. The public service announcements (PSAs) call on drivers to slow down, follow posted speed limits and drive responsibly. With 32% of traffic deaths in California caused by speeding and 1,403 people killed in speeding-related crashes in 2022 alone, the campaign is a way to educate Californians about the dangers of speeding and change driver behavior. Nationally, speeding-related crashes accounted for 12,151 fatalities in 2022, representing 29% of all traffic deaths. According to this year’s California Traffic Safety Survey, nearly 80% of drivers surveyed mentioned “Speeding/Aggressive Driving” as the biggest traffic safety problem, and 77% did not think it was safe to drive over the speed limit on residential streets.
OTS DIRECTOR BARBARA ROONEY: “Speeding remains one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Through the 'Better Slow Than Sorry' campaign, we aim to change driver behavior and promote a culture of safe driving in California. Every person killed on our roads is not just a statistic but a profound tragedy for families, friends, and loved ones left behind. We are committed to stopping these preventable incidents."
CALTRANS DIRECTOR, TONY TAVARES: “Motorists that choose to drive safely are making a conscious, life-saving decision to protect themselves, fellow travelers, defenseless highway workers, and the most vulnerable roadway users. There is no excuse for speeding and driving recklessly. The next time you find yourself near a work zone, please slow down, pay close attention, and move over a lane when you see flashing amber lights.”
VIDEO FOR NEWS MEDIA (click links to view and download):
English and Spanish PSAs
OTS Director Soundbite (Audio Only)
Campaign Information: The public service announcements (PSAs) emphasize that drivers are going too fast if they do not allow enough time to stop or react to road conditions. Audio messages encourage drivers to drive like their closest friends or family live in the neighborhood and think about the safety of people biking or walking. Social media messages highlight the benefits of slower roads, where just a marginal decrease in the speed of a vehicle striking a pedestrian can significantly lower the chances of serious injury or death. The campaign runs through Aug. 4.
Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.
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