PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In Alaska, highway travel increases significantly during the summer months as residents and visitors use Alaska roadways traveling to participate in recreational activities. The number of private vehicles, vehicles with boats in tow, and recreational vehicles is much greater than at any other time during the year. Motorists are anxious to enjoy the brief summer with its longer days, and so they push themselves to drive long distances without resting. Drivers often are fatigued, inattentive, and impatient. A high percentage also drive while impaired and do not wear safety belts. During the summer of 1996, Alaska State Troopers introduced the Safety Check campaign to help address these highway safety concerns.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of Safety Check is to reduce the number of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities in Alaska, and to promote general traffic safety by increasing public awareness of road hazards. The project's major objectives are to:

• Promote the use of safety belts and child restraint devices for all passengers in motor vehicles
• Encourage motorists to designate a sober driver and eliminate driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
• Heighten public awareness of the results of driver fatigue and physical exertion
• Increase motorists cooperation and patience while traveling through construction zones

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
A statewide task force comprised of Alaska's Department of Transportation (DOT) and Public Facilities, Alaska Highway Safety Planning Agency, Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Trucking Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and 11 participating local police departments was formed to plan and carry out the Safety Check public information and education campaign. Program activities included:

• Alaska's governor proclaimed the week of July 1-7, 1996 as Safety Check Week. This served as the kick-off holiday and prototype for the statewide campaign
• A press release, television and newspaper spots announcing the Safety Check campaign were produced. A series of public service announcements were developed featuring "Safety Bear", the Alaska State Troopers' mascot, checking safety belts used by role models such as firefighters, race car drivers, pilots, and state troopers
• Alaska's Highway Safety Planning Agency provided highway safety literature and promotional items to participating police and state agencies for distribution to the general public
• Alaska DOT distributed a current construction and road closure schedule brochure to motorists