Washington, DC—On the day before Thanksgiving
2008, Deputy Nick Pham of the Monroe County (FL) Sheriff’s Office was on patrol
on U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys when his police cruiser collided with a
semi-tractor trailer. A four-year veteran of Florida law enforcement in Florida,
the 43-year-old husband and father died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Deputy Sheriff Pham
was one of six law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty on the
nation’s roadways last holiday season—the period between the Thanksgiving
holiday and New Year’s. That can be a particularly dangerous time for law
enforcement, as millions of Americans take to the roads and officers step up
their safety patrols. In all of 2008, 71 law enforcement officers nationally
died in traffic-related incidents—the leading cause of officer fatalities for
the 11th consecutive year.
To help prevent
officer deaths and injuries this holiday season, the “Drive Safely” campaign of
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is again reminding
motorists to pay special attention to officers on the roads and to follow other
common-sense traffic safety measures.
"Again this year,
our dedicated law enforcement officers will be called on to give up time with
their own families so the rest of us can travel in safety to spend the holidays
with our loved ones. Every time we get behind the wheel—and especially during
the holidays—we owe these brave men and women our full attention and
consideration,” said NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd.
“In addition to doing
the obvious things—not speeding or driving drunk—drivers need to be especially
mindful of officers who will be out enforcing traffic laws. If you see a police
cruiser stopped by the side of the road, please slow down, move over and allow
the officers to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Mr. Floyd added.
The Memorial Fund’s
“Drive Safely” campaign promotes a number of actions motorists can take to
protect law enforcement officers, other drivers and themselves:
- Focus on
driving. Avoid
talking on your cell phone, eating, or hunting for items in your vehicle
while driving. When traveling 55 mph or faster, a two-second distraction
can be deadly. Adjust your speed for road conditions, especially snow and
ice.
- Slow down and
“move over.” If
you see an emergency vehicle stopped by the side of the road, slow down
and safely move over one lane if possible. Forty-seven states now have
“move over” laws, and violators can be ticketed and fined.
- Get out of the
way of emergency vehicles. If an emergency vehicle has its lights or siren activated, slow
down, move to the right and stop if possible. Once the vehicle passes, do
not follow it too closely.
- Stay off the
shoulder. Driving
on the shoulder of a roadway is not only illegal—it’s dangerous. Emergency
vehicles use the shoulder to get to emergencies faster, where a few
seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
- Watch
officers’ hands as they direct traffic. And listen for whistles or other audible signals
from officers on how to proceed.
For more information,
safety tips and resources, visit the “Drive Safely” website at www.LawMemorial.org/DriveSafely.
