HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05051992 - S.3 S,3
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,CALIFORNIA
IN THE MATTER OF RESOLUTION NO. 92/276
Declaring May 1992 as"Safe Roads/Safe Families
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Month"in Contra
Costa County
WHEREAS,bicycling and walking are convenient,pleasurable, and healthy forms of transportation of many citizens;
bicycle riding and walking for both transportation and recreation purposes are becoming increasingly more popular; and the
increased use of bicycle and pedestrian forms of transportation as alternatives to automobiles help reduce traffic congestion and
air pollution,conserve resources,and improve public health and fitness;
WHEREAS,children,who are most reliant on bicycle and pedestrian forms of transportation,are at particular risk of injry.
Pedestrian injury is one of the leading cause of death for children ages 0 to 14 in the United States. Close to one million children
nationally receive treatment in medical settings for bicycle-related injuries each year. The Contra Costa County Health Services
Prevention Program found that motor-vehicle crashes were the leading cause of injuryin the Countyfor children 0 to 14 years during
.1988-1990;45%of these motor vehicle collisions resulting in death occurred to child pedestrians or bicyclists. From the period
1986-1988,52%of motor-vehicle collisions resulting in non-fatal injuries occurred to child pedestrians or bicyclists;
WHEREAS,the use of bicycle helmets is an effective injury prevention intervention. Eighty-five percent of head injuries
and 88%of brain injuries in bicycle crashes could be prevented by the use of an approved bicycle helmet. However,Safe Roads/
Safe Families,a project working to reduce child bicycle and pedestrian injuries in the Health Services Prevention Program,found
in an observational study conducted in Contra Costa County,in 1991,that school-age childrenwere the least likely to wear helmets;
WHEREAS,drivers must pay close attention to child pedestrians and bicyclists. Children's development directly effects
their abilities to handle complex traffic situations. A child's peripheral vision is 1/3 less than an adult's. Children have difficulty
understanding"stopping distance."Children tend to concentrate on one thing at a time and are easily distracted.These factors make
children more vulnerable in traffic. Drivers,therefore,must pay close attention to the presence and behavior of children while
driving;
WHEREAS,the Safe Roads/Safe Families project has been actively working to increase helmet use and promote bicycle
and pedestrian safety throughout the County. Right Rider,a unique incentive project conducted in conjunction with local police,
will occur in various regions of the County again in 1992 as part of this May's Bicycle Safety Month activities. Safe Roads/Safe
Families is implementing a media campaign,entitled,Give Kids a BRAD!"to educate drivers about the limitations of children in
traffic. The project pays particular attention to policies that will enhance the safety and mobility of child bicyclists and pedestrians;
WHEREAS,declaring May 1992 as"Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Month"is in keeping with the Board of Supervisors'
strong history of leadership in the area of children's health and safety. This proclamation provides a strong symbol around which
to organize and promote the various activities scheduled for the month.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,does hereby declare May 1992 as"Safe Roads/Safe Families Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Month"to encourage the
public to observe bicycle and pedestrian safety rules,including the use of bicycle helmets,and encourage county departments to
cooperate with the project in the review and modification of any policies towards reducing bicycle and pedestrian injuries.
PASSED by unanimous vote of the Board Members present on this 5th Day of May,1992.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an order entered on the minutes of said Board of Supervisors
of the date aforesaid.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the
Introduced by: Board of Supervisors affixed on this
-- 5th Day of May,1992.
TOM TORLAKSON PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the
Supervisor,District V Board upe rs and ty Administrator
By: a
°�— Deputy
SUNNE WRIGHT McPEAK,Chair IN4
Supervisor,D' tri
TO O WERS
Supervisor,District I
N4CY FAH N ROBERT I.SCHRODER
Supervisor,Dis ct II Supervisor,District III