Traffic Safety Digest - Spring 2002
UTAH
Spirit of Safety

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
Innovative, Collaborative Effort Focusing on Self-Certification and Behavior Modification
PROGRAM AREA(S)
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
Occupant Protection
TYPE OF JURISDICTION
State
 
TARGETED POPULATION
Utah residents, particularly in areas affected by 2002 Winter Olympics
JURISDICTION SIZE
2,233,169


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

In Utah, the use rate for protective gear is lower than desired. This includes seat belts for youth and adults, and protective gear such as helmets in all appropriate applications (bicycling, motorcycling, horseback riding, skiing, etc.).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Spirit of Safety program were to:

  • Increase public perception of traffic crash risk and personal responsibility for prevention; and

  • Create an educational program and mechanism to support the creation of safe behavior habits, including wearing a seat belt or bike/motorcycle helmet.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

In a collaborative effort with the Salt Lake Olympic Committee (SLOC) and the six component “Healthier You 2002” program, the Spirit of Safety Program encouraged individuals to adopt a traffic safety behavior, such as wearing seat belts or a helmet in all appropriate activities. They also had to complete two additional activities from a list that included:

  • Visiting a traffic safety web site;

  • Reading a vehicle owner’s manual for proper seat belt and child safety seat use;

  • Attending a child safety seat checkpoint;

  • Getting a bicycle tune-up;

  • Buying a new child safety seat or bicycle helmet;

  • Discussing safety rules within the family; or

  • Learning more about proper helmet use.

Participants were instructed to make a habit of the new behavior by doing it for 30 days. After the 30 days, participants were rewarded with an Olympic/Traffic Safety pin. The pin was a special recognition item as a part of the official Olympic organizational endorsement.

RESULTS

In conjunction with other public health outreach efforts associated with the Winter Olympics, 300,000 brochures were distributed to provide information and encourage the desired safety related behavior. Once participants send in the self-certification form documenting the completion of the required safety activities, they will receive one pin from a limited edition collector set of Winter Olympic pins.

FUNDING
SLOC: $5000
Primary Children's Med. Ctr.: $3000
Section 405: $2000
Section 157 (Incentive): $8000
CONTACT
Kristy Rigby
Program Manager
UT Hwy Safety Office
5263 S. Commerce Dr.
Ste. 202
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
(801) 293-2480



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

   SPRING 2002     

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