June 30, 2003
SYRACUSE--- Twelve out of 100 traffic deaths nationwide are pedestrians. Yet less than 1 percent of federal transportation dollars are spent protecting walkers.
Closer to home, New York had 350 pedestrian fatalities in 2001, or almost a quarter of traffic deaths statewide. In the same year, eight pedestrians died in the Syracuse metropolitan area, representing just under 10 percent of traffic fatalities, and government spent about 25 cents per person on walking and biking safety measures.
Some of that money has been invested in a pedestrian safety program aimed at elementary-school-age children, to be presented at 18 Onondaga County Public Library locations throughout the summer. Ann Barnett and Debbie Kogut of the Onondaga County Health Department use a “Willie the Whistle” video to kick off a discussion of how to stay safe on community streets. All presentations are free and open to the public.
To find a program at a library near you, call OCPL, 435-1900, or check the schedule online .
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