Fresh Emphasis on Safe Driving with Schools Back in Session

Novato has joined the countywide Street Smarts Marin traffic safety education campaign to coincide with the back-to-school frenzy. The PR campaign will run through Halloween.

Developed by the Transportation Authority of Marin, the program targets the most frequently occurring dangerous traffic behaviors in Marin:

• Speeding
• Running red signals
• Distracted driving
• Crosswalk violations (by drivers, pedestrians and cyclists)
• Bicyclist safety violations (drivers and cyclists)

The Street Smarts messages will be on display on 100 street pole banners, cross street banners, lawn signs and fence banners throughout the partner cities and towns, reminding drivers to slow down, pedestrians to use crosswalks and bicylists to "bike smart."

Golden Gate Transit buses will also sport Street Smarts messages, including 20 of the newer green buses which serve many local routes.

Many schools participate by posting banners and signs and distributing the Safe Driving electronic flyer to approximately 15,000 families in the county.

This year, Novato and Sausalito are joining the existing partners in the program — Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, and Tiburon — in embracing the popular program.

The community outreach program “Get Street Smart” is available for use by police departments, civic organizations and residents groups on the Street Smarts Marin website or by contacting Street Smarts.

More information about this important program is available on the website: www.StreetSmartsMarin.org or by sending an email to Dan Cherrier at dcherrier@tam.ca.gov.

Street Smarts Marin is funded by a combination of funds from the federal Non-Motorized Pilot Program and the voter approved Measure B, a vehicle registration fee).