In the News & Media
Melissa in the News
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Melissa Wandall: Raising Resilience – A Mother’s Sacred Promise
Survival in the Trenches – https://survivalitt.com/
This episode is for anyone navigating grief, seeking inspiration, or wanting to turn personal pain into a meaningful purpose. Listeners will learn about the power of optimism, the importance of community support, and the impact of taking action in the face of adversity. Afterward, they’ll feel empowered to embrace their own healing journey, support others through loss, and find ways to honor their loved ones through purpose-driven action.
GHSA - Governors Highway Safety Association - Peter K. ORourke Special Achievements Award 2024 Winner
Peter K. ORourke Special Achievements Award 2024
Melissa is a safety advocate for road safety, leading to Florida’s Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act permitting red light cameras. She founded the Mark Wandall Foundation to support grieving children and serves as President of the National Coalition for Safer Roads. 2024 Winner: Melissa W. Wandall | GHSA
Speeders, Red Light Runners and Road Safety
Howard University – WHUR-FM 96.3 National Radio Interview
August 9, 2024 – National Stop On Red Week 2024.
Melissa joins Ragina Ali, of AAA and Rick Birt, with the Washington DC Highway Safety Office to share the benefits of automated enforcement.
Target Zero: A conversation with Melissa Wandall
As a follow-up to our guest webinar on Target Zero, we speak with Melissa Wandall, where she expands on several of the issues highlighted in her video. Among these, she discusses the underlying precursors of distracted driving and how they can be ameliorated; how targeting a specific cohort of distracted drivers can help all drivers; and, how counties can play a pivotal role in furthering the goals of Target Zero.
"From the Perspective of Those Left Behind" with road safety advocate Melissa Wandall
Target Zero and Vision Zero both aim to eradicate ALL traffic-related fatalities and injuries. In this detailed 20-minute presentation, Advocate and Speaker Melissa Wandall will outline the joint endeavors of these initiatives as they pursue the path toward achieving ZERO. Moreover, Melissa will share her own personal narrative, which profoundly influences both her life and her advocacy journey.
The presentation will also offer valuable insights into how Target Zero advances safety programs and campaigns beyond the scope of Florida’s laws. It will clarify how the initiative seeks to proactively address identified dangerous-driver behaviors to prevent crashes resulting in serious injuries and fatalities within our state.
More than 170 families who lost loved ones in crashes meet with lawmakers to demand safety changes
This article originally appeared on WFTV9.com on Map 15, 2024. Link at bottom.
All the families attending are tied together through tragedy; each one of them lost a loved one in a crash. Only Channel 9 spoke with the Florida families who are asking lawmakers to help them prevent more deadly crashes.
These families are sharing their pain to bring about a new policy. Together, they are in D.C., meeting with legislators and representatives from the Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, advocating for stronger legislation at the federal level involving road safety and vehicle technology.
Are red light camera programs saving lives? Officials and data disagree
This article originally appeared on Wesh.com on April 30, 2024. Link at bottom.
Florida cities and counties that have red light camera programs insist they are saving lives and reducing serious injuries. Proving that idea is complicated, according to WESH 2 Investigates’ review of available data.
Certainly, no one argues that red light running can be deadly. Each year in the U.S., there are roughly 165,000 crashes, 1,000 deaths, and 127,000 injuries. The red light camera program in the state, launched in July 2010, was intended to reduce those numbers.
Mark Wandall Foundation supports, connects youth navigating grief
This article originally appeared on YourObserver.com on March 8, 2024. Link at bottom.
Melissa Wandall founded The Mark Wandall Foundation to aid grieving children. Following personal tragedies, she became a road safety advocate and now leads the National Coalition for Safer Roads. The foundation, co-founded with Gina Babcock, offers various programs including camps, therapy, and scholarships, primarily funded by donations. Despite logistical challenges, it has served over 500 children. Through partnerships and volunteer efforts, the foundation aims to expand its reach, seeking donations for additional camps.
2023 World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Crash Victims
In recognition of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Melissa Wandall, President of M3 Motivational Concepts, Ambassador for Target Zero Florida & President NCSR, partnered with FDOT District 1, Law Enforcement, and the Community to host a World Day of Remembrance event on November 17, 2023, at the SE Corner of State Road 70 at Tara Boulevard. This location marked 20 years since Mark Wandall’s death at this intersection due to a red-light runner.
‘Always Stop on Red’ signs displayed in Ocala to reduce red light crash deaths
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) -Drivers in Ocala are being reminded today to always stop at a red light. Ocala city leaders, law enforcement, and several transportation organizations are highlighting the importance of stopping at red lights to limit deaths.
From Tragedy to Triumph - Shug Bury & Melissa Wandall
A young woman, nine months pregnant, lost her husband in a tragic traffic accident because someone ran a red light. Listen in as she shares how she rose up to become light and life for her daughter, began a children’s grief camp and became a driving force for traffic safety.
Navigating The Feelings of Grief and Isolation with Melissa Wandall (Ep. 10)
The Keep Kids Alive Podcast
In the 25th Episode of the Keep Kids Alive Podcast, Host and Executive Director of KKAD25 Tom Everson talks with Melissa Wandall, President of the National Coalition for Safer Roads.
Sarasota Stories.co
My guest today is Melissa Wandall. She was that story 18 years ago. Newly married, in a new home, and 9-months pregnant, she got a phone call that dramatically changed her life forever.
A Helping Hand: The Mark Wandall Foundation
Click here for complete article on SNN News – The Suncoast News Network
Melissa Wandall speaking at the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
Melissa Wandall speaking at the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development.
Melissa interviewed at the 35th Annual ACT International Conference.
Melissa interviewed at the 35th Annual ACT International Conference. The International Conference brings together hundreds of TDM professionals from across the United States, Canada, and around the globe.
Curbing the Driver’s Need for Speed - GHSA 2021 Annual Meeting General Session
In the midst of an historic pedestrian safety crisis, the pandemic sparked an unprecedented drop in motor vehicle traffic that should have resulted in a significant drop in crashes, injuries and deaths. But an increase in excessive speeding is plaguing our roadways and putting everyone at risk. At the 2021 GHSA Annual Meeting in Denver, a panel of national experts discussed how we can get drivers to slow down and save lives.
Putting the Brakes on Speeding Now and After COVID-19
Andy Souders – President and CEO, All Traffics Solutions (Moderator).
Jason Farias – Highway Safety Program Coordinator, Rhode Island Dept. of Transportation.
Melissa Wandall – President of the National Coalition for Safer Roads and Campaign Ambassador for Alert Today Florida.
Falls Church News Press - F.C. Police Join Safe Driving Initiative
August 3, 2020 5:15 PM by FCNP.com
The City of Falls Church Police Department is joining the initiative of the National Stop on Red Week, Aug. 2 – 8, 2020.
Created by the Federal Highway Administration, the initiative aims to educate drivers about the dangers of red-light running and to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes. Read more here >> https://fcnp.com/2020/08/03/f-c-police-join-safe-driving-initiative/
A Conversation about Pedestrian Safety Month
The Daily Drive speaks with road safety advocate Melissa Wandall about Pedestrian Safety month which is this October. Melissa also shares her story which motivated her to address various traffic safety laws. Melissa is an egaging speaker, and her message is worth a listen.
Channel 7 WWSB Sarasota - Stop on Red Week
Channel 7 WWSB Sarasota –
Article – SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – During National Stop On Red Week, advocates raise awareness of the importance on stopping at red lights.
Read more here >> https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/08/04/national-stop-red-week/
Video >> https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2020/08/04/national-stop-red-week/
Local Organizations Work to Help Children Process the Loss of a Loved One
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month and this week Blue Butterfly and the Mark Wandall Foundation partnered to educate parents, grandparents and teachers on the best ways they can be there for children who have experienced a loss. Click here for more
ABC Action News Tampa - Sarasota woman turns grief into motivation to help stop red-light runners
SARASOTA, Fla. — In 2003, Mark and Melissa Wandall were happily married and expecting their first child.
“We weren’t sure what we were having,” said Melissa.
Read more here >> https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/driving-tampa-bay-forward/sarasota-woman-turns-grief-into-motivation-to-help-stop-red-light-runners
STOP! Give Light to Life
Channel 7 WWSB Sarasota
Channel 7 WWSB Sarasota –
Article – SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – During National Stop On Red Week, advocates raise awareness of the importance on stopping at red lights.
Read more here >> https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/08/04/national-stop-red-week/
Video >> https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2020/08/04/national-stop-red-week/
The Survivor
Unintentionally he has been pushed aside. He is quiet yet livid but remains sturdy and stoic. He has lost his best friend. He feels the burden that he has taken his sisters husband, his only niece her daddy. He feels disgraced. Will the shame “eat him up” or empower him?
The Miami Project
National Stop on Red Week
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), were joined by Orange County Government and multiple partners on Aug. 10, 2018 at the intersection of Silver Star Road and Pine Hills Road to remind everyone to stop on red, including when making a right turn.
Alert Today Florida
Stop on Red Event Urges Drivers, Pedestrians to Take Precaution on the Road
Driving Down Heartache, Bay News 9
Love Resides in a Roadside Marker. Bay News Channel 9 Interviews Melissa and features www.DrivingDownHeartache.org
Suncoast FYI: The Mark Wandall Foundation's "Evening at the Tower"
In this video Wendy Orlando TMWF Coordinator and I sit down to discuss the importance of serving children, teens and young adults in grief.
NEW Road Safety @ Rush Hour Podcast Available Today
Melissa Wandall, President of the National Coalition for Safer Roads, shares her personal story and explains her journey advocating for red light cameras and the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act in Florida. Listen Now: https://bit.ly/2Vck4mD
Keynote Speaker at Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization
Watch video >> https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=429747451003764
Study Finds Area of North Port, Sarasota and Bradenton, 4th Most Dangerous for Walking in the USA
I BELIEVE THAT AUTHENTICITY FOSTERS EMPOWERMENT
Today, my passion lies in building strong, organized advocates. I have created the “Universal Approach to the 5 Stages of Advocacy” that will incite both organizations and individuals to take action! Click here
