Project Characteristics

Networking and Program Coordination

Program Areas

Public Information & Education

Alcohol & Other Drugs

Type of Jurisdiction

State

Targeted Population

All ages

Jurisdiction Size

2.6 million

Funding

Section 402: $6,177

Contact

Warren Wood
KS DOT
217 SE 4th St.
2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66603
(913) 296-3756

Digest Listing

KANSAS
Public Information & Education Committee

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Traffic safety advocates, law enforcement officials, and members of health organizations have joined forces to actively coordinate the state’s participation in the Safe and Sober public information and education campaign. The campaign is sponsored quarterly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). At the beginning of this NHTSA initiative, Kansas’ safety advocates wanted to effectively cover each campaign area addressed in the Safe and Sober planner and participate in the activities. To accomplish this task, a committee was organized to share ideas, networks, resources, and information by building a strong and effective partnership. With this partnership, duplication of efforts is avoided, campaigns receive full attention and committee members work together to support all state and national programs and messages. This committee was organized as part of a Public Information and Education project to bring media attention to the programs concerning the problem of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in Kansas.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Public Information and Education Committee is to:

increase communication among traffic safety advocates throughout the state;
avoid duplication of efforts;
support NHTSA’s and Kansas’ Public Information and Education initiatives; and
support state traffic safety programs and help committee members by sharing information and resources.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The committee currently meets on a quarterly basis. The group is comprised of approximately 20 individuals from various safety agencies and organizations. New members in the field of safety continue to be added to the committee.

At each meeting, the committee discusses activities and the current and upcoming program priorities. This includes reviewing current information concerning relevant subjects, such as mobilization issues. Members share information, plans for media events or news releases, promotional materials, statistics, brochures, and other pertinent safety information.

RESULTS

The committee was initiated in order to help coordinate all traffic safety partners to discuss and decide the strategies for promoting the ongoing Safe and Sober campaign. This original goal of the committee was immediately realized and other areas were affected as well.

Increased communication between state traffic safety advocates. Quarterly meetings have brought together traffic safety groups to discuss current and past plans and activities. Members of the committee make contact with others in the safety area. Questions can be referred to proper agencies, organizations or individuals. Better communication makes it easier to distribute traffic safety messages.

Avoided duplication of efforts. Programs and activities planned by safety organizations statewide are discussed each month. Committee members are aware of a planned observance, week, or activity as well as news releases and media events. This awareness decreases the likelihood of duplicate efforts among the organizations.

Supported NHTSA’s Safe and Sober campaign. This was the original plan for the Public Information and Education Committee and continues to be an important element. Topics included upcoming planners and target audiences. Additionally, committee members use the information from the newest Safe and Sober planners for news releases, media events, brochures, and other program areas.

Supported statewide traffic safety programs and aid committee members with projects by sharing information and resources. Committee members with similar programs and projects often collaborate to distribute information, brochures, and promotional materials. This partnership between committee members increases the number of Kansans that are reached as each member publicizes the safety message throughout the state.

NHTSA