Conn. woman promoting safe driving

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. -- Most students are heading back to school, and that means children are getting off buses and walking home along busy streets.

A Connecticut woman is driving up awareness to keep students safe. They are the latest campaign signs popping up on people's lawns. But this campaign isn't about politics, it's all about safety.

"There's been one too many incidents where we were almost hit by an automobile," said Petulia Pugliares.

Pugliares came up with the idea while walking through her Wethersfield, Connecticut neighborhood with her husband and seeing all the cars speeding by.

First she did some research. She learned that five children are killed in motor vehicle crashes every day in the U.S.

She's hoping her campaign will send a message to help slow down those statistics.

"What I found out was the No. 1 killer of kids is involving motor vehicle accidents. That's all I needed to know and with that I just said it's time to do something about it," said Pugliares.

Then, she launched her own company on-line.

"If we can just save one, I think we've done a lot," said Pugliares.

So far, she has either donated or sold 1,600 signs to people in Connecticut and 18 other states.

She's talking to town leaders across Connecticut, encouraging them to put up permanent signs.

"I think they're helpful if people pay attention cause they're a lot of kids in this neighborhood and the cars just speed left and right," said Gail Kiniry of Hartford, Connecticut.

The signs are available at YMCA's in Connecticut. You can also buy them online.

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