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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Traffic crashes
are the leading cause of injury to residents of Riverside, California,
accounting for over 50 percent of all trauma injuries, and resulting
in an annual economic cost of eleven million dollars in hospital
expenses. Moreover, the number of traffic crashes surpasses all
intentional crime reported each year.
Research indicates
that Hispanic Americans are disproportionately involved in traffic-related
injuries and traffic violations. Hispanic Americans comprise
28 percent of the city's population, yet account for 49 percent
of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) arrests, 59 percent of vehicle
impoundments due to DUI or suspended/revoked license, and 74
percent of traffic fatalities of children under the age of four.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the
Riverside Safe Communities program, developed in 1997, was to
reduce fatalities and injuries in the City of Riverside, with
special emphasis for Hispanic Americans. Objectives of the program
were to:
- Create a Riverside
Safe Communities Coalition
- Develop a Strategic
Plan of injury intervention
- Market the Strategic
Plan to the Riverside community
- Develop support
for the Strategic Plan with local policy makers
- Develop a mapping
system for traffic injuries
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The primary strategy
employed in the Riverside injury prevention effort was the creation
of a Safe Communities Coalition. The Coalition initially partnered
with the Riverside Police Department's El Protector Coalition,
an existing organization targeting crime, gangs, drug use and
traffic injuries in the Hispanic community. After development
of a Safe Communities Strategic Plan, the two coalitions agreed
to continue their efforts as two separate, yet mutually-supportive,
organizations in order that the Safe Communities Coalition might
focus solely on the reduction of traffic-related injuries and
fatalities for the City of Riverside, with an emphasis on Hispanic
Americans. The Safe Communities Coalition was then reorganized
to support ongoing communication among key leaders, provide continuous
data analysis of traffic crashes, and maximize the use of various
media to promote Coalition activities. Successful activities
included:
- Inter-agency media
campaigns
- Traffic safety
check points for child safety seat and seat belt use
- Establishment of
roving child passenger safety patrols
- Creation of the
First Annual City of Riverside Traffic Safety Fair
- Sponsorship and
participation in the El Protector Soccer Clinic
- Participation in
the Grad Night Safety Program
- Participation in
other city events and City Council Proclamations
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