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Staying 'Off Track' Will Help Families Have a Safer Fourth of July

2 July 1999

Staying 'Off Track' Will Help Families Have a Safer Fourth of July

    BELLEVUE, Wash., July 1 -- Having a safe and sane Fourth of
July requires more than just handling fireworks carefully.
    AAA Washington reminds everyone of the importance of some basic safety
suggestions as they prepare to enjoy fireworks displays and other holiday
events this coming weekend.
    In particular, attendees are discouraged from using transportation rights
of way such as railway property, highway shoulders or bridges for viewing
fireworks shows.
    Many of these areas are private property and also can be very dangerous
for the public to use for viewing, according to Janet Ray, AAA Washington's
director of corporate communications.
    Following are tips provided by AAA Washington for safe viewing of
fireworks celebrations this coming holiday weekend:

    * View the fireworks displays only from designated sites only.
    * Obey private property signs.  Do not trespass on railroad or other
      private property, remembering that those signs are there for the public
      safety.
    * Arrive early and park only in appropriate places, never on bridges or
      the shoulders of highways.  Many surrounding streets may be closed to
      traffic for the show.  Use public transportation or park-and-ride lots
      to reduce congestion and stress.

    The railroad industry points out that nine out of 10 fatalities from train
accidents involve pedestrians or motorists trespassing on the tracks.  "The
public must remember that trains cannot divert or slow down in time to prevent
accidents with individuals or automobiles," said AAA Washington's Ray.
"Crossing railroad tracks or even using nearby railroad property is an
invitation to injury or death," she added.
    "People should plan ahead in choosing safe routes for reaching public
parks and selecting locations for viewing fireworks," Ray concluded.
    AAA Washington provides a full range of products and benefits, including
personal lines insurance, leisure travel, member discounts, financial and
auto-related services to more than 620,000 members.  A not-for-profit services
organization, AAA Washington operates 13 offices in central and western
Washington.  More information about AAA Washington can be found on the
Internet at http://www.aaawa.com.