Fifth-graders become ambassadors for new PD driver safety campaign

Blue Haze Elementary School fifth-graders helped launch a new driver safety campaign, Partners in Safety, with the Fort Worth Police Department, TxDOT and Zachry Construction Corp.

Twenty students — selected for exhibiting the Blue Haze Core 4 principles — were “deputized” during a school assembly. They led all fifth-graders in an oath to remind the adults in their cars to put down phones, slow down, watch for signs and keep an eye out for workers.

The newest road safety ambassadors also got a sneak peek at the campaign’s mascot, Zach the Zone Ranger.

The Texas Department of Transportation is rebuilding Interstates 20 and 30 west of Fort Worth.

"The rapid growth in western Tarrant and eastern Parker counties necessitated the expansion of the I-20 and 30 corridor,” said TxDOT District Engineer David Salazar. “That growth continues at an unprecedented rate."

The event in the White Settlement Independent School District included appearances by the Fightin’ Bear Band drum line; Fort Worth Police Department West Commander Jason Spencer; and Zachry Construction Corp. President Travis Mross.

“Work zones require drivers’ full attention. But looking at the crash data, that’s not happening,” Spencer said. “When failure to control speed, driver inattention and unsafe lane change are cited as the top factors in crashes in not only the 20-30 project work zone, but throughout Tarrant and Parker counties too, it confirms that we have a driver behavior problem. And we need everyone’s help to fix it.”

Photo: Blue Haze fifth-graders take an oath to remind the adults in their cars to drive safely, in construction zones and elsewhere.

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