PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are by far the leading cause of spinal cord injury among Colorado residents. MVCs also are the most frequently documented cause of traumatic brain injuries in Colorado. Reducing the number of traffic-related injuries (45,886 in 1994) and crashes with property damage (63,932 in 1994) in Colorado is a formidable challenge. However, the task can become more manageable if the problem is addressed community by community.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Drive Smart Colorado (DSC) program is to promote the development of multi-sector, community-based coalitions to identify and address local traffic safety concerns. Specific objectives include:

Encouraging local coalitions to conduct needs assessments that identify priority community injury problems

Providing technical assistance and training to facilitate coalition building, problem identification and program evaluation

Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database of existing traffic safety programs throughout Colorado

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Community-based traffic safety has proven to be the most effective means of empowering citizens to address traffic safety problems such as impaired driving, engaging in high-risk behavior behind the wheel, and failing to use child restraints and seat belts properly in motor vehicles. Since May 1993, DSC has helped unite individuals from many backgrounds to proactively address traffic safety problems and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic crashes. DSC and its local coalitions work

Drive Smart Colorado (cont'd)

with traditional traffic safety advocates, such as law enforcement, schools, and groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), as well as new partners from emergency medical services, fire safety, medical providers, the insurance industry, traffic engineers, private citizens and the business community. DSC designed a seven-step process for each of its coalitions to use. This process, which serves as a road map for building successful community traffic safety coalitions, includes: Problem Identification and Needs Assessment, Community Leader Participation, Promotion to Key Community Leaders, Assessment of Community's Perceived Interests, Formation of Community Traffic Safety Alliances, Goal Setting and Development of an Action Plan, and Evaluation and Reassessment.

Coalition leaders have learned how to maximize human, material and financial resources locally. Drive Smart alliances sponsor high school and corporate safety belt challenges, host community forums for addressing local traffic issues, provide manpower for community events like health fairs, bike rodeos, safety villages and traffic safety demonstrations. Members also offer in-kind professional services from their diverse backgrounds in the public and private sectors, and act as catalysts to promote improved traffic-related policies and legislation on both a local and state level.

RESULTS

New statistics for 1995 injuries and crashes are not yet available, but DSC has demonstrated its ability to impact local communities in a positive manner. DSC began working with one community, Weld County, and has now expanded to include four new coalitions located in Evergreen, Pueblo, Douglas County, and the San Luis Valley. DSC also provides technical assistance and services for two previously established traffic safety coalitions located in Grand Junction and Colorado Springs. The number of Drive Smart alliance members working to improve transportation safety at a grass roots level now exceeds 1,000 people.

Colorado is the first state to implement a Drive Smart organization statewide. Currently, DSC is providing technical assistance to establish other statewide Drive Smart organizations in Virginia, California, Florida, and Nevada. Many other states also have requested DSC training materials.