Public awareness campaign “Better slow than sorry” amid continuing speeding fatalities in California

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SANTA BARBARA, CA – July 29, 2024

The Santa Barbara Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to educate the Santa Barbara community about a statewide initiative urging drivers to slow down, obey the speed limit, and save lives. In California, 32% of traffic fatalities are caused by speeding, with 1,403 deaths expected in 2022 alone.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans today launched the “Better Slow Than Sorry” campaign, supported by the Santa Barbara Police Department, urging drivers to slow down, drive within posted speed limits, and drive responsibly. With 32% of California traffic fatalities resulting from speeding and 1,403 deaths in speeding crashes in 2022 alone, the campaign is a way to educate Californians about the dangers of speeding and change driving behavior. Nationally, there were 12,151 speeding-related fatalities in 2022, representing 29% of all traffic fatalities. According to this year’s California Traffic Safety Survey, nearly 80% of drivers surveyed cited “speeding/aggressive driving” as their top traffic safety concern, and 77% did not feel safe driving faster than the speed limit on residential streets.

OTS DIRECTOR BARBARA ROONEY: “Speeding remains a leading cause of traffic fatalities and serious injuries. With the Better Slow Than Sorry campaign, we aim to change driving behavior and promote a culture of safe driving in California.. Every person who dies on our roads is not just a statistic, but a profound tragedy for the families, friends and loved ones left behind. We are committed to stopping these preventable incidents.”

CALTRANS DIRECTOR, TONY TAVARES: “Drivers who choose to drive safely are making a conscious, life-saving decision to protect themselves, fellow travelers, vulnerable road workers, and the most vulnerable road users. There is no excuse for speeding and reckless driving. The next time you are near a work zone, slow down, pay attention, and move over to a lane if you see flashing amber lights.”