PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
By mid-1995, traffic fatalities in the Wyandotte community of Northwest Oklahoma had reached an all-time high. Two major highways cut through the community, transporting more than 33,000 tourists and commercial vehicles each week. These highways are intersected by more than 20 other traffic routes, giving rise to a dangerous situation for this tiny community comprised of residents of the Wyandotte Nation and the Town of Wyandotte. Particularly affected was the Wyandotte Nation, which reported seven fatalities in 1995, in the Tribal Service Area.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of the Wyandotte Tribal Safety and Safe Community Program was to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from motor vehicle-related crashes. The objectives of the program were to:

• Increase use of seat belts and child safety seats
• Provide education on the dangers of impaired driving
• Implement a Safe Communities program
  

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The initiative for the project came from the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma. The Wyandotte Tribe has been active in traffic safety activities since 1986, beginning with a successful car seat loaner program. In 1996, Chief Bearskin approached the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian Highway Safety Program, for selection as a Tribal Safe Community under earmarked funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Tribal Safe Community designation provided the framework for development of a Safe Community Coalition comprised not only of the Wyandotte Tribe, but also of the nine other Tribes in close proximity to the Wyandotte Service Area and the residents of the Town of Wyandotte. Some of the activities developed and implemented under the Safe Community program included:

• Continuation of many of the successful programs developed prior to forming of the Safe Community project, such as the "Preschool to Six" safety education program of bike helmet use and school bus safety presented to local schools by both Tribal members and Wyandotte police
• Reduction of speed limits along the two major highways
• Presentation of 16 safety programs at schools, fairs, and community centers
• Development of an Indian Highway Safety public information and education effort
• Implementation of youth-oriented programs, such as instruction on seat belt use and impaired driving, featuring popular attractions such as photo ID and finger printing sessions
• Provision of street signs, pavement markings, and other roadway improvements
• Purchase of 97 child safety seats distributed to Tribal families with children, including complete instruction for proper installation and use