[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10777-S10778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DESIGNATING OCTOBER 10, 2002, AS ``PUT THE BRAKES ON FATALITIES DAY''

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration os S. Res. 266 and 
the Senate

[[Page S10778]]

proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 266) designating October 10, 2002, as 
     ``Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 266) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 266

       Whereas traffic fatalities needlessly claim the lives of 
     more than 40,000 Americans each year;
       Whereas traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in 
     the United States for people ages 6 to 28 years;
       Whereas 63 percent of those killed in traffic crashes are 
     not wearing safety belts;
       Whereas roadside hazards, substandard road conditions, and 
     obsolete roadway designs contribute to more than 15,000 
     highway deaths annually--nearly \1/3\ of all fatal crashes;
       Whereas more than 3,000,000 people are injured in traffic 
     crashes in the United States each year;
       Whereas there are more than 6,000,000 nonfatal traffic 
     crashes in the United States each year;
       Whereas deaths and injuries on highways in the United 
     States cost society more than $230,000,000,000 annually;
       Whereas approximately 4,900 pedestrians and 750 bicyclists 
     are killed annually in traffic related crashes;
       Whereas safer driving behaviors through the use of seat 
     belts, not drinking and driving, and obeying traffic laws 
     need to be encouraged;
       Whereas use of simple, cost-effective roadway safety 
     improvements such as all weather signing and marking, traffic 
     signals, skid resistant pavements, and removal of roadside 
     hazards would greatly reduce crashes;
       Whereas continued development of ever-safer vehicles, 
     protective equipment, and roadways would reduce traffic-
     related fatalities and injuries; and
       Whereas cooperation between Federal, State, and local 
     governments, private companies, and associations is essential 
     to increasing highway safety: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 10, 2002, as ``Put the Brakes on 
     Fatalities Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation urging 
     the people of the United States and interested groups to 
     encourage safe driving and other roadway use.

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