NHTSA Kicks off Summer Highway Safety Campaign in Oklahoma

Becky Walker of the NHTSA talks about their summer driving safety campaign at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicked off a safety campaign on Thursday to encourage drivers to Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride - something Historic Route 66 is known for.

NHTSA Region 6 held a press conference at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village that also included Shelley Zumwalt, the Executive Director of Oklahoma Tourism, author and historian Michael Wallis, and representatives from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“The effects of speeding are deadly,” said Dr. Maggi Gunnels, Regional Administrator for NHTSA’s Region 6 in a press release. “Drivers in Oklahoma should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed this summer.” The same release stated that in 2022 there were 12,151 fatalities tied to speeding-related crashes.

“There’s a reason that the Speed Limit signs are black and white,” added Lt. Chris Arnall of OHP. “There’s no grey area.”

Author and historian Michael Wallis also spoke, tying the safe driving campaign to his tenure as Sheriff of Radiator Springs in Pixar’s Cars films. “It’s okay if you lost,” he said, referring to Lightning McQueen’s plight in the original movie, and reminded the gathered crowd that Route 66 that slower is always better on the Mother Road.

The NHTSA’s schedule of events to promote this campaign continues through July 26th and includes stops in all eight Route 66 states. For details on where they are stopping and when, check out their itinerary here.