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Message from the Director
Two thousand and seven was nothing short of a monumental year for traffic safety in California. Not only did the Office of Traffic Safety celebrate its’ 40th anniversary, but several important milestones were also reached. The number of people injured on California’s roadways dropped in 2006 to the lowest level in 25 years. Following the third consecutive Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign, California’s 2007 seat belt use rate increased to 94.6 percent, up from 93.4 percent in 2006. This annual improvement in the state’s seat belt use rate over the past three years represents well over one million more motor vehicle occupants who are now buckling up.
I’m confident that 2008 is on track to realize even greater strides across all avenues of traffic safety. For starters, OTS will continue to implement our Performance-Based Strategic Plan. We will begin by working on establishing a web-based database solution for grants administration. We will be developing a comprehensive communications plan in order to better manage and execute effective communications to the public as well as among grantees and OTS staff. Lastly, we will continue our commitment to improving customer service, streamlining processes and building upon our performance improvement initiative.
In 2008, OTS will continue pushing key traffic safety messages, including the ‘Click It or Ticket’ and ‘Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911’ campaigns. The combined success of these two programs is having a year-round impact long after specific mobilization periods have passed. The Report 911 effort became fully operation at the end of 2007, so we will be looking for its successes in the years to come. The CHP, Caltrans, and the DMV deserve to be recognized for their continued support of these important efforts. And a special thank you to Secretary Bonner and the Governor’s Office for their continued support and leadership.
I am proud to be serving a second term as the Chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), representing all of the states and territories in efforts to improve safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. With the help of GHSA and all our national, state and local partners, we will help California achieve the fewest traffic fatalities in the nation.
I am confident that this year will continue to see an increase in innovative, life-saving programs designed to save lives and futures. Through the dedication and hard work of our grantees and the staff at OTS, we all working toward the same end – the safety of our neighbors, families, friends and everyone who travels the streets and highways of California.
Christopher J. Murphy
Director
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