We know accidents happen. But Emig isn't one to be deterred.

And that's how it comes to be that this Thursday will be celebrated as National Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.

Emig was a planner with the Kansas Department of Transportation when he conceived his idea a few years back. Now he heads a national organization with support from more than two dozen agencies and groups — everyone from the American Public Health Association to the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

A number of events are planned Thursday to help raise consciousness about what people can do, and what official steps they should support to reduce transportation fatalities.

But organizers say the heart of the campaign is getting drivers and pedestrians to proceed with extra caution and awareness in an effort to prevent all fatalities.

Here are some of the tips they propose.

• Car drivers. Avoid cutting in front of other vehicles. Watch your blind spots, particularly around trucks and buses. Avoid aggressive drivers. Be careful of trucks and buses making wide right turns.

• Motorcycle drivers. Never sit in a truck's blind spot or "no-zone." Always wear a helmet. Drive to survive. Check yourself and your bike. Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before each ride and be sure to wear the proper protective gear.

• Truck and bus drivers. Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel, eat well and stay fit. Always maintain your vehicle. Slow down in work zones. Help stranded motorists. Notify traffic safety agencies of crashes, unsafe road conditions and other situations that can lead to accidents.

• Pedestrians. Walk on sidewalks and in crosswalks when possible. Pay attention to walk signals and keep a safe distance when standing on corners. Never assume that vehicles will stop for you — or that drivers see you. Wear bright or reflective clothing.

• Bicyclists. Always be aware of traffic around you. Check your brakes and be prepared to stop. Ride on the right side, with traffic. Never sneak between a truck or bus and the curb.

Even with all those precautions, it's going to be a long shot to produce a fatality-free day. Just think, though, if it could happen. Imagine!