Letter to the editor: 'Drive Responsibly' campaign delayed

The targeted launch date for the city of Springfield's new "Drive Responsibly" traffic safety campaign has been rescheduled for after the elections in November. The event originally was scheduled for Labor Day weekend.

"There were a number of issues with respect to the distribution of information for the campaign," Earl Newman, Springfield's assistant director of public works, reported to the Traffic Advisory Board's safety committee. "We want to resolve those issues in order to have a unified effort at the time of the campaign."

Creating and providing a set of clear and effective safe driving tips, communicating those strategies, and encouraging implementation of best practices are the focus of the city's goal to reduce the frequency and severity of the 8,000 collisions occurring each year on Springfield streets. The investment of a small portion of money from the 1/4-cent capital improvement tax and supportive sponsorships from area businesses could significantly reduce the $185 million economic loss to the community each year.

Paula Gleason

Safety Council of the Ozarks