Brake for Bela
Did you know…
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 14?
• Pedestrian deaths increase by 16 percent during the summer?
• Pedestrian/vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of unintentional-injury related death among children between the ages of 5 and 14?
• Speeding in residential neighborhoods is the No. 1 complaint to police departments and city councils throughout the U.S.?
• Residential streets are deadlier than highways when measured per miles driven?
In the summer of 2009 in Arvada, Colo., five-year-old Isabela ‘Bela’ Estes was struck by a car while playing with neighborhood friends near the street in front of her house.
Bela, the daughter of CIG team member Kristi Estes, survived the accident but sustained significant injuries to her face and body, as well as emotional trauma that was difficult to overcome.
As a result of Bela’s accident, and countless other vehicle/pedestrian accidents that kill or injure thousands of daughters, sons, fathers and mothers each year, the CIG team became inspired to develop and sponsor a grassroots public service campaign that promotes attentive driving and neighborhood safety – specifically during the summer months, while most children are out of school.
The campaign launched its inaugural year in May 2011. The annual campaign runs from May to August to coincide with the traditional summer break for local schools in metro Denver and surrounding suburbs.
Click here to view our blog and share Bela’s story with the ones you love. She’s our inspiration – who do you brake for?
Click here to view more facts on Brake for Bela and how you can get involved. Click here for tips on neighborhood safety this summer.