The Delaware Department of Transportation has visited almost a dozen
neighborhoods throughout the state since July 2008 bringing the message that
drivers need to slow down in neighborhoods. Speaking at many of the rallies,
DelDOT Secretary Carolann Wicks said, "The statistics are shocking, and we
believe that reminding drivers of the consequences of speeding is the best way
to get them to slow down. We are asking people to obey speed limit laws in
residential areas, because going just a little too fast could end in a horrible
tragedy." DelDOT has collaborated with neighborhoods, local and state officials,
emergency responders and many others. Arriving with a van full of signs,
T-shirts and magnets, officials meet and talk about what we can all do to make
our streets safer for children and all Delawareans. The central message of the
campaign is straightforward, and pulls no punches. Simply, a pedestrian hit at
20 mph has a five percent chance of dying, a pedestrian hit at 30 mph has a 45
percent chance of dying, and at 40 mph the chances of death are 85 percent.
State law sets the speed limit in residential areas (and subdivisions) at 25
mph.
