University of Texas at Austin
College Traffic Safety Program
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TEXAS
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PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS |
PROGRAM AREA(S) |
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Targets hard-to-reach/at risk population |
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Other Traffic Safety Areas |
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TYPE OF JURISDICTION |
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University Campus |
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TARGETED POPULATION(S) |
JURISDICTION SIZE |
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University Community |
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70,000 |
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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:
- Increase bicycle helmet use on campus
by 23 percent from 1995 to 1999
- Decrease traffic citations on campus
by 20 percent from 1995 to 1999
- Maintain a minimum 85 percent use
of safety belts for front seat drivers and passengers
- Decrease observed pedestrian traffic
violations by 10 percent over four years
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:
- Develop and implement a public information
and education program for each of the problem traffic areas identified
- Update the college traffic safety
needs assessment and revise as appropriate
- Continue campus enforcement activities
through Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEPs), reporting
traffic crash data, citations and adjudication information
- Obtain resources and support for
traffic safety programs from university administration, service
organizations, local businesses and student advisory boards
- The University Health Services program
administrators sponsored and participated in a variety of activities,
including campus events, seasonal traffic safety programs, speeding
surveillances, a bicycle helmet drawing during registration,
liaisons with local off-campus traffic safety personnel, and
using community resources to build and improve a comprehensive
prevention 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 |
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Section 402: |
$69,700 |
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County |
$29,047 |
CONTACT |
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Terry Fitzpatrick, Coordinator
UT College Traffic Safety Program
University Health Services
100-F West Dean Keeton Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 4758252 |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Spring 1998 |