More police officers are killed or injured each year in vehicle related incidents than in violent confrontations with firearms.

Proceed with Caution is a nationwide public awareness campaign to bring this tragic fact before the American public. Last year, the program reached more than one million Americans with a reminder that is both simple and vital to the safety of law enforcers and citizens: “PROCEED WITH CAUTION”.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, over the past 10 years auto related accidents caused by careless citizens has replaced gunshots as the leading cause of death for police officers. Tragically, most of these deaths could have easily been avoided if only citizens were mindful of the hazards the nation’s congested streets and highways pose to public safety professionals.

VIEW PUBLIC SERVICE VIDEOSUnfortunately, the problem is only getting worse. Line-of-duty deaths were up 40% during the first half of 2007. Roads are becoming more congested; making tempers short, exposing ever more drivers to a highly contagious form of aggressive driving. America may well be reaching a tipping point.

There is, however, some cause for hope. Like aggression, courteous driving is also contagious — the scale does tip both ways.