• A group that should be invited to speak in ALL schools, especially high schools, is the Light for Life Foundation. They have excellent speakers – all with a powerful message to students on suicide prevention. For more information about their program and speakers please call their local office at (760) 635-5904.  Keep the following information handy: Call the San Diego 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 1(800)479-3339, or the National Hotline at 1(888)SUICIDE, (784-2433) *If you are in need and don’t know how to ask for help please call their hotlines.

(San Diego, California) – “My Driving Safety Lectures Will Help To Reduce Your Collision RISK Factor!”

My lectures are designed to make you aware of the driving habits that cause collisions – injuries and death…and what you can do to increase your chance of survival on our roadways.

Attention:  Conference Planners – Company Safety Stand-down Coordinators (Company & Military) – Schools & Colleges - Did you know that  a traffic collision is the number one cause of death from birth to age 44…and for emergency personnel it’s our number one 9-1-1 call!  It’s also the number one reason for the loss of an employee!   “Texting” is our number one distraction behind the wheel, not only is it illegal – it’s deadly!

My lectures provide a perspective most people don’t see – what “we” see as emergency responders.  A perfect compliment to other safe driving programs companies use…but, once you’ve seen my talk, you’ll never look at traffic the same way again.

You’ll also curb poor driving behaviors that lead to the injury and death we respond to.   It is an eye-opening talk on what it takes to be safe while driving, riding or walking.

My perspective comes from my 18 years as a TV/radio traffic reporter, collision researcher and now 10 years as a spokesperson for a police & fire department.  I offer tips on how to reduce your chances of becoming another statistic!   I give you the emergency agency point of view – and some personal perspective.

My talks address aggressive driving, distracted driving (cell phones/texting), dealing with stress and road rage, the dangers of red light running and rolling through STOP signs, plus a hard hitting look on motorcycle safety and of course the dangers of driving under the influence.  Driving safety-injury prevention is my passion!

Note:  My speaker’s fee is negotiable in speaking  at company conferences, briefings & stand-downs.   There is no charge in speaking to schools and to the military in the San Diego area.   If air travel is required – airfare, hotel and a speaker’s fee will be required.

If you’d like to contact me please call me at (619) 843-7218.  You can also email me at monicazech@cox.net.

These these thought provoking life-saving tips will help to improve the driving skills of your employees, military personnel and students.  I also offer an emergency agency point of view of the mistakes most often made – and how to avoid them!”

Contact me for your next safety briefing or safety stand-down, Company Conference, civic group, college or high school assembly, driver education class or traffic school class.

Through my work as a “safety educator” for a police and fire department, and through personal experience – my goal is to make my audiences more aware of what’s really happening on our roadways and how we can reduce the risk factor of having a collision - and increase our chances of survival.  Driving is serious business and I do not sugarcoat the message.   But I can cater my talks to cover your specific message.

Read More

I recently attended a Lifesavers Conference in Phoenix and found Allstate Insurance offering a great program to stop “distracted driving” – please take a moment to check it out:

http://allstate.discoveryeducation.com/resources_page.cfm?id=resources

 http://allstate.discoveryeducation.com/resource/poster.pdf

Since 1984 I’ve spoken to thousands of people of all ages on injury prevention. It’s great to hear feedback that my talks have made a difference.  These are some of the wonderful comments I’ve received through the years. 

I was a keynote speaker at a parenting event in April and I received the following thank you from the coordinator of the event.

August 10, 2011

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Apparently my talks can leave a lasting impression…please take a look at a recent comment I received on January 14, 2011:

Hi Monica,
The school is still buzzing about your presentation. (4/7/10) I cannot thank you enough. 

Also, I spoke to the President of our school PTO (formerly PTA) and she is extremely interested in having you out to speak to the parents before our school year ends. I was hoping you would have some availability one evening between now and mid-June. If so, I will meet with her and our VP to see when we can schedule the theater. If you can do it, are there are days or weeks that are not
good for you. Again, it would be an evening time so parents could attend. 

Thank you again, I look forward to hearing from you!

R. Brooks

PS. As you probably know….today is National NO PHONE ZONE Day!!!
So far we have collected almost 300 signed No Phone Zone car pledges from students and staff and they are still coming in to me each day! 
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April 7, 2010: Following four driving safety assemblies I delivered at Valhalla High School today, I received the following card:

Monica – I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to present to the students and staff at Valhalla High!  Your presentation was fantastic and I know you touched many lives today.  It was wonderful meeting you and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you again! 

Sincerely,

R. Brooks

On March 14, 2010: I just returned from Miami where I was invited to speak to students and their parents at a private high school called Gulliver Preparatory. I delivered two talks on March 11, 2010.  I first spoke to the students (9th-10th-11th & 12th grade levels) and then to their parents. Here is a comment I received from the host parent Lisa about my talks:

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Another very nice comment following a safe driving talk I delivered to a Yacht Club in the beach area.  Received October 9, 2009.

Hi Monica,

I have been meaning to send you a note letting you know how much we enjoyed your talk our M. B. Yacht Club.  Your speech did have an impact!  That same evening there was an event at the club where alcohol was being served.  One of the ladies that attended the meeting came up to me and said she and her husband had decided to spend the night on their boat at the club after the party.  She said normally they would have driven home but your talk reinforced what they both knew and was a good reminder on drinking and driving. 

Thank you again for speaking to our club.  I was thinking it would be beneficial to invite the juniors to this type of presentation next time.  I won’t be the president of the group next year but I will pass on your contact information and the positive feedback I received to next year’s president.  If there is anything the club can do for you please let me know.

 Sharon B.

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Received this comment 9/2/09 following a safe driving and disaster preparedness talk to the New Frontier mobile home community in Santee:

Hi Monica,

What a wonderful day – your presentation tonight was magnificent. Monica, you were truly great. You really did a super job and everyone was so pleased. Everything you brought out was so important and so timely. There wasn’t a soul in that room who was not directly affected. Thank you, thank you.

My best to you and your family,

S. Sizemore

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Received this comment on 5/14/09 following a safe driving talk I delivered to a traffic school on 5/09/09 – thank you!

Monica Zech,
I’m just E-maling you to thank you for doing such a wonderful job speaking at the CBI traffic school this past Saturday. I also wanted to let you know I just saw you on the morning edition of San Diego 6 news as the safety spokesperson. You are doing a great job all together and I hope you will continue to inspire other young drivers like you did for me.
Sincerely,
C.W.

Received following a driving safety lectures to educators at a local University on 1/12/09:

Monica- I wanted to drop you a note to say “Thank You” for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and speak at Prof. Graf’s Health Education class last week. Your presentation was really eye opening and I’ve been making better decisions ever since!

Thanks again and I hope to one day call you up to come speak to my class.

Best, B. Ratner

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Dear Monica,
I met you at Dr. Graph’s health class at National University. I am a special education teacher at a local High School. My students are 18-22 years old. I’m sure my students would be impressed and shocked by how dangerous walking around the streets could be. I thank you for everything you do for children and to ensure public safety.

I always think of how many people suffer or die needlessly on our roads. It upsets me to hear of anyone dying, but these people are not at war and shouldn’t have to go through that. Thank you for everything that you do to help people become more aware of safety.

God Bless you,
Carlos

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Received December 11, 2008

Following a safe driving lecture to Navy Personnel in Point Loma:

Dear Ms. Monica,

Thank you for your time spent with us this week at our All Hands (military) Safety Brief. I found your brief interesting, educative, and (morbidly) entertaining.

While I have never seen the level of trauma you have, I do have a bit of time volunteering with a county fire department.as a firefighter/EMT, and as an auxiliary police officer. I’ve seen what speed can do when a small car hits a telephone pole at high speed.

(After hearing my talk) I have slowed down, given a 3-4 second distance in following, compared to the 1.5-2.5 I used to, and have caught myself looking several times both ways before proceeding through a controlled intersection. Not much, but at least I will have more reaction time if I am involved in something I can’t avoid.

It really brought it home when you shared with us the loss of your father, and the incident your daughter was in.

Again, thank you for your time.

Best Regards,
Ken L. L.
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Following a driving safety talk on November 10, 2008:

Hi Monica,

Just wanted to thank you again for so graciously and expertly presenting last night for AAUW. Everyone was raptly attentive, and I think we all learned some interesting, new things along with being graphically reminded of much we know, but often forget to follow! You certainly know your material, and your passion and sincerity come through glowingly. Well done! Just had an email from our president, Rilla, and she expressed her praises for your talk, and wished she could have heard the full 2 hr. presentation! Ever thought of starting a Fan Club? Please know how much I appreciate your willingness to give up so much time for my group.

G.C.

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Following a driving safety talk to a Kiwanis Group in La Jolla, October 24, 2008:

Monica,

Thank you for your presentation. You did a terrific job. One highly reliable mark of a good presentation is when people stay over to talk to the speaker, voting with their feet as it were. You had lots and lots of people doing so. So, kudos!

R. C., C. Law Firm

Received August 12, 2008

Following a driving safety lecture to the San Diego Gas & Electric office in El Cajon:

Monica,

I am late, but don’t want miss the deserved opportunity to say how enjoyable it was to hear you at SDG&E’s Safety Standdown in El Cajon. In so many, many ways you informed and educated employees on driving and it’s potential ugly consequences. Personally, I didn’t want to drive back to the home office or go home that day. Again, your energy and passion was remarkable!

Thanks,

R.G.
Business Systems Analyst

Received May 21, 2008:

Hi Monica,

My name is C.M. and I was privileged to attend your presentation at our monthly TIP continuing education meeting Monday evening. Along with most of my fellow volunteers, we were terrified to drive home that night but certainly came away from your presentation with many sobering facts and figures. Thanks so much for the “wake-up call/reminder” to our group…..especially some of us more “mature” drivers!

Thanks again for a most informative evening!

Regards, C. M.
(T.I.P. is Trauma Intervention Program)

Received May 18, 2008
From a parent whose child attends 3rd grade at Our Lady of Grace Church Academy in El Cajon:

I have to tell you what an impact you’ve had on my daughter! Whenever you come to their classroom to speak on safety she is very excited. She can’t wait to get home to tell me all about the safety information you delivered to her classroom of students. Thank you & Bless you for all you do for our children – and our community! – Ms. Church

(Yes, that’s her name)

(Thank you Ms. Church your comments meant a lot to me. – Monica )

Received January 8, 2008 following my talk to a Navy Pilot group at North Island Military base:

Monica,

Thank you again for yet another outstanding presentation to HSL-47! We greatly appreciate the commitment of time that you have given to us, and we are more safe on the roads and at home, and are better prepared for the “unknowns” out there. If we can ever assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

J. Melody – North Island Base

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Read More

The Ultimate E-Book for Car Information

http://www.carinsurance.org/

Thank you to teacher Mrs. Allison J. Gonzalez for sending me this link discovered by one her students!

San Diego County experienced some off & on heavy rainfall during December 2010 into January 2011.   Our lawns are greener, but there’s been a tremendous growth of trees, brush, weeds and grass.  When the warm to hot weather hits our county again “all” this overgrowth is fuel for the next firestorm!

Don’t forget to check your defensible space.  Do you have heavy brush conditions on the hillside(s) around your home?  If these areas are steep and too much for you to handle – consider “goats!”   A great resource can be found at:  www.Elmgoats.com.

If you have a large property, or have a large communty that needs brush clearing – contact “Environmental Land Management.”  Goats is just one of several methods they use to clear brush.  For more information visit their website: www.ElmGoats.com.   It’s a service that provides hand crews, mastication machinery and goats to clear your brush, weeds and even trees.

To speak with them directly, call (619) 234-4555 or email them at contact@elmgoats.com.

Sadly – thousands are killed and injured in DUI related crashes every year.  If you’ve been impacted by this preventable crime please contact MADD for “free” (priceless) help.  They helped me and my family when my father was killed by a DUI driver on June 5, 1992.

MADD – Mothers Against Drinking & Driving

Visit their website: www.maddsandiego.org

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driving incident you can call the  24/7 Victim Services Hotline at 1-877-623-3435

Stats
http://www.madd.org/Drunk-Driving/Drunk-Driving/Statistics.aspx

Victims Impact Panel – VIP Panel Information – or scroll down for the schedule:

http://www.maddsandiego.org/webpage/10

Victim Impact Panels

Spanish           4th Tuesday of every month               4:45 pm

San Diego Hall of Justice Jury Lounge, 330 West Broadway SD 92101

Spanish           3rd Wednesday of every month         6:00 pm

Vista Courthouse Jury Lounge, 325 South. Melrose Vista, 92083

English            4th Wednesday of every month         4:45 pm

Spanish           2nd Wednesday of every month         4:45 pm

THERE ARE NO CLASSES ON COURT HOLIDAYS

You must bring photo ID, your case number and due date.

Visitors are allowed as space permits.(This is an excellent program to bring your teen getting ready to drive, or already has a driver’s license to. Or bring someone you’re concerned about to hear about the consequences of drinking and driving. – Monica Zech)

Please call (858) 564-0785 for detailed recorded information.   The office number for the MADD office in San Diego is (858) 564-0780.

Yes – “distracted driving” is a nation-wide problem!  It injures and kills motorists and pedestrians every day!!! 

I talk about distracted driving in my driving safety lectures, but I’ve also been the victim of distracted drivers (3) times in my driving career.  First, I was hit by someone who flew into a parking where I was, while he was looking down at paperwork and talking on a cell phone – I was able to hit the gas and clear my drivers’ side to avoid certain death.  Second,  I was on a freeway - when a driver was busy looking to his right talking to his passenger and failed to notice stopped traffic ahead, he rear-ended traffic while jumping in front of me.  The third, and hopefully the last,  a motorist ran a STOP sign by “two” car lengths coming off a freeway to a surface street, she was in a hurry and busy talking to her young daughter, she looked to her right and “failed” to look to her left as I approached from her left side with the “right of way” – jumping into my path…”that” crash almost paralyzed me.  I’ve got the scar from my $65-thousand neck surgery as lasting proof… so “yes” I know this problem all too well.  (By the way my alertness and seat-belt saved me in all three incidents.)  But sadly, I also respond to these incidents almost daily as a spokesperson for a police and fire department!

Please take a look at the following two websites, the second is Oprah’s “NO PHONE ZONE” campaign – please take the pledge, and have your family, friends, school, workplace, and civic groups “take the pledge!”  It is a matter of Life and Death!

www.distraction.gov  

Take the pledge:

http://www.oprah.com/questionaire/ipledge.html?id=4

Thank you and stay safe!

Monica Zech

Safe Driving Educator

monicazech@cox.net