University of Texas at Austin
College Traffic Safety Program

TEXAS

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS PROGRAM AREA(S)
  Targets hard-to-reach/at risk population   Other Traffic Safety Areas
       
TYPE OF JURISDICTION    
  University Campus    
       
TARGETED POPULATION(S) JURISDICTION SIZE
  University Community   70,000


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The traffic safety issues of a university campus are similar to those of any community; however, the high concentration of youth presents unique challenges to campus traffic enforcement officials. Youth in the age group 18- to 24-years-old comprise a disproportionate percentage of traffic fatalities, nationally and in Texas. University campuses have high concentrations of motorcycles and bicycles; alcohol-related crashes are more frequent in the at-risk age group compared with the general population; campus life styles promote a party atmosphere and combine this atmosphere with long, sleep-deprived road trips during school breaks. On the Austin campus of the University of Texas, which typically enrolls 48,000 students and employs more than 21,000 faculty and staff, the University Health Services was concerned with developing traffic safety prevention programs that targeted the high concentrations of at-risk youth and the university community in general.


GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the University of Texas at Austin College Traffic Safety Program, initiated in 1996, was to prevent fatalities and injuries resulting from traffic-related at-risk behavior. The objectives of the program were to:


STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The College Traffic Safety Program staff employed these four primary strategies and implemented a series of activities designed to meet the goals and objectives of the program:

 

RESULTS
During 1996 and 1997, the Traffic Safety Program was successful in reaching more than 12,000 students through outreach efforts. For example, a Buckle Bear skit was presented to 100 pre-school children and 150 elementary children during the campus-wide Bring Your Child to Work day; 45 child safety seats were distributed to eligible student families; more than 480 students completed the Bicycle Traffic Violators Diversion Program; and over 1,500 bicycle helmets were distributed. Traffic safety materials were developed in 14 languages other than English.

From 1995 to 1997 campus traffic violation citations were reduced by 39 percent.

 

FUNDING
  Section 402:

$69,700

  County 

$29,047

CONTACT  
  Terry Fitzpatrick, Coordinator
UT College Traffic Safety Program
University Health Services
100-F West Dean Keeton Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 475–8252


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Spring 1998