Michael F.Shaughnessy

Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, New Mexico

1)      Jesse, you are involved with an organization called “Keep Right” . How did this get started?

Keep Right USA is the name of my organization.  We are the exclusive provider of “Keep Right Safety Products”! 

Seven years ago I started a public awareness campaign titled “California Keep Right”.  This was a result of growing frustration with motorists that drive slowly in the passing lanes.  I knew there was a better way, a safer way.  This campaign has evolved into a national campaign, “America Keep Right” and a line of products designed to reduce emergency response times and increase the safety of first responders.  What do you think about people that drive slowly in the passing lanes?

2)      Jesse, what are you basically trying to accomplish?

My goal is to save lives, reduce traffic congestion and improve emergency response, among others.  I will accomplish this by educating the motoring public on general “Keep Right” traffic safety procedure, and by engaging government officials and law enforcement to strengthen and enforce the “Keep Right” traffic laws.  Now that I have first responders getting behind my program, I have seen a fundamental shift in how people view this issue.  

3)      I have to tell you, I did EMT training, both basic and intermediate years ago, so I am quite sympathetic. Why does the average motorist need to “be polite and keep right” for these individuals?

All too often emergency response is diminished by motorists that either freeze or aren’t paying attention when an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind with lights and sirens on.  This costs valuable time.  Every second counts!  We would eliminate many of these situations if all motorists would obey the “Keep Right” laws at all times.  How many lives would be saved through improved emergency response?

4)      Now, fire trucks are usually very large and can be seen by most motorists- but if they do not have their sirens going, and lights flashing, it is possible that motorists may not see them coming. How would your signs help?

“Keep Right Safety Decals” are printed in reverse, installed on the front of emergency vehicles and designed to be read in the rear-view mirror.  Introduced last year, they have been called, “Cutting Edge”.   They are intended to reduce emergency response times and increase the safety of first responders.  

If a motorist does not see the emergency vehicle, my decals will not help.  They are intended as a visual aide for motorists that freeze or are unsure about what to do at that critical time.  Without lights and sirens on, they are a “Gentle Reminder” for motorists to “Keep Right” in the normal practice of defensive driving.

5)     Thank you for sharing a sign with me. Tell me however, about these safety decals that you have.

Refer to answer for question 4.

6)     How many states, or fire departments or police departments have adopted your program?

I have at least 10 Fire, Police and EMS Departments using or “In Trials” with “Keep Right Safety Decals” in 4 states:  New Mexico, Texas, Georgia and California. 

Several Fire, Police and EMS Chiefs “Fully Endorse” both “Keep Right Safety Decals” and the “America Keep Right” traffic safety campaign.  My program is really taking off in Southeastern N.M. and West Texas. 

7)      As a trained EMT, I know that the first sixty minutes are crucial in terms of getting to people and transporting them to the hospital. How would your signs help in this endeavor?

“Keep Right Safety Decals” are intended as a visual aide for motorists that either freeze or are unsure about what to do when an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and sirens on.  Information on “How to yield for emergency vehicles” is hard to come by.  Together with public awareness, “Keep Right Safety Decals” will improve emergency response! 

8)      Do you have a web site where people can get more information?

Please visit http://www.americakeepright.com/ to see what we are doing in your state to improve public safety!  I have over 50 web sites, a public awareness campaign for every state. 

Information about “Keep Right Safety Decals” can be found at http://www.americakeepright.com/. 

9)      What have I neglected to ask?

This is a grass-roots campaign.  I am a one man organization with virtually no funding.  This is also a case study on if one person can effect social change on a national level from the bottom up.   Stay tuned!   
   

Show your support!  And remember, “Slower Traffic Keep Right”!

Thank You,

Jesse Breedlove
Founder and CEO
Keep Right USA
America Keep Right