Have you or someone close to you been affected by a motor vehicle crash? It could be that you are one of thousands who have experienced the inconvenience of a fender-bender. The collision may have translated into time off from work getting repair estimates and paying insurance deductibles. These are certainly hassles, but not life-altering events. However, for over 8,600 Marion County residents last year, these crashes resulted in serious injuries. For about 700 people, their injuries incapacitated them.

Many people assume that these unfortunate injuries and deaths are natural outcomes of living in a mobile society. However, the Marion County Safe Communities Coalition wants to change this viewpoint. They want you to know that many motor vehicle crashes can be avoided-they are not accidents! Problems such as speeding, impaired and aggressive driving and red light running cause a large number of collisions every year. However, these are not the only issues contributing to the large number of injuries. Many people could avoid being injured if they took a few simple steps before driving or riding in a car, such as buckling up themselves and their children.

The Marion County Safe Communities Coalition, funded by the Governor's Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving, is composed of many agencies, organizations and individuals focused on a community-based approach to studying the problems causing these injuries and finding solutions to reduce them.

The Coalition is currently working on several projects. If you would like to get involved, please call Kathy Lisby at (317) 278-7620.

Marion County Safe Communities Coalition Members:
AAA Hoosier Motor Club
Automotive Safety Program
Indianapolis SAFE KIDS Coalition
Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
Rural/Metro Ambulance
State Farm Insurance Company
Washington Township Fire Department