Brady says federal assistance is available for Philadelphia school safety zones (5/04/04)

PHILADELPHIA --- Congressman Robert A. Brady (D., Pa.) says the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has a program that offers experimentation projects for areas that have a high level of pedestrian traffic accidents.

In a letter to Mayor Street Congressman Robert A. Brady (D., Pa.) indicated the City of Philadelphia can make application to be part of an FHWA experimentation program that studies the effect of enhanced green and yellow road markings in school zones.

The information collected by the City as a part of the experimental program and provided to the federal government, could in the long term, help develop a strategy to help lower the number of children hit in school zones.

"By testing new ways to alleviate pedestrian traffic accidents in an area of great need, such as Philadelphia, you not only work to fix the short term crisis, but you lend assistance in the long term through proven and documented preventative measures," the Congressman said.

"To complement the City's efforts," the Congressman said, "I pledge that I will do all I can to secure available federal resources to make our children safe." The Congressman added that he is pleased that Philadelphia officials have promised increased traffic safety enforcement and a general reform of school traffic safety procedures.

Congressman Brady began seeking out federal assistance because he was deeply troubled by recent reports in the Philadelphia Daily News that 73 students have been hit by cars while traveling to and from school this school year.

"In the suburbs the message is clear: slow down in a school zone. But in Philadelphia our children literally have to dodge speeding traffic as they go to or leave school. This is ridiculous," said Brady.