WASHINGTON – When Kari Miller's stock car streaks by at Raceway Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, you might notice that she has a unique message displayed amongst her sponsors' decals. "Give Wildlife A Brake"™ is an important message for animal lovers and one that Miller takes to heart. The program is run by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and provides driving tips on how to avoid hitting wildlife as well as suggestions on what to do if you find an injured animal along the roadway.
"We are so pleased that Kari is using her car to deliver a positive message for wildlife," said Susan Hagood, wildlife issues specialist for The HSUS. "And a message about how to drive safely to protect animals is all the more meaningful coming from someone who makes her living in the driver's seat." The HSUS is also providing Miller with informative brochures and bumper stickers to hand out to her fans.
The HSUS "Give Wildlife A Brake"™ program has been in existence since 1998 to combat the countless animal fatalities that occur on America's roadways each year. Some suggested driving tips include:
- Be more watchful for wildlife at dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after darkness falls.
- Assume that animals you encounter do not know how to get out of your way. This is especially true for young animals, who do not realize that cars are a threat.
- Where there is one animal crossing, there may be more—young animals following their mothers or male animals pursuing a mate.
Miller has been driving race cars since 1998 and is not only one of the few women drivers who compete in NASCAR events but she is also one of the few drivers who actually works on her own car—she received the True Value Mechanic of the Year Award in 2000. This year, Miller will be driving in the Short Tracker Division. Miller, a long-time animal lover and a supporter of The HSUS, lists "spending time with my dogs" as one of her favorite activities outside of racing.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 9 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
