"Keep Kids Alive -- Drive 25," a new safety campaign designed to encourage local motorists to observe residential speed limits, has been established in the State College Area School District.

Since it originated in Omaha, Neb., in 1998, the campaign aimed at reducing speeding in neighborhoods has spread to communities in 32 states.

"I think speeding in our residential borough and the surrounding area is too fast," said Carolyn Kunz, president of Keep Kids Alive -- Drive 25 of Centre Region. "I have two small children and I am worried when they are out playing and people speed down my street."

Kunz learned of the program when she approached the State College Police Department with her concerns. Officer Joeseph Zaffuto, a member of the department's traffic division, said he was aware of the success the program had in communities across the country and suggested it might work in State College.

After talking with Zaffuto, Kunz and other community members put the project into motion. They started work in December 2001 and launched the program last month.

The program to reduce speeding is a three-pronged effort, Kunz said. One objective is to educate through brochures and guest lectures at area schools, she said.

Another focus is visually reminding motorists to slow down. This will be accomplished by placing removable signs in neighborhoods and permanent signs at "hot spots," areas where speeding is known to occur frequently.

"One of the keys to the success of the program is keeping the signs moving so people don't get used to seeing them all the time," Kunz said. "Once you get used to seeing them they aren't as effective anymore."

Many people think about other things when driving, Kunz said.

"I think a lot of people, if just reminded, would slow down," he said.

In an effort to support the program, the police department has assigned officers to concentrate on enforcing the speed limits in residential areas, Zaffuto said.

Since the inception of the campaign, the department has seen an increase in speeding tickets, he said. He noted that the increase in tickets is not a result of the program failing but, rather, more aggressive enforcement on behalf of the department.

Although police are taking part in the program, Zaffuto stressed the effort is primarily community-oriented and geared toward voluntary compliance.

While the campaign is indefinite, the part of the project that involves yard signs is in a trial period that will be extended if residents believe it's working, said State College Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham.

The program is in its early stages, but Zaffuto said he has already heard positive feedback.

"The residents who are posting signs are telling me that they're seeing less speeding," Zaffuto said.

Goreham agreed.

"The intention is to make people who drive through the neighborhood look out for small children who may not look both ways before crossing the streets," she said. "It has had an impact on me."

Brochures, bumper stickers and yard signs are available at Rapid Transit Sportswear, 115 S. Allen St., Wiscoy Pet Food Co., 293 Northland Center, Nittany Line Hobbies, 1649 N. Atherton St., and Re/Max Centre Realty, 1375 Martin St. Signs are free, but an optional $10 donation is asked to cover expenses, Kunz said.