PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In 2000, the Buckle Up San Diego component
of the San Diego Safe Communities Coalition identified the improper
use of child safety seats as a significant problem in San Diego, California.
Preliminary and supplemental data was collected and analyzed to assist
in developing appropriate initiatives to address this issue. During
the process of data evaluation, additional traffic safety problems were
identified. It was determined that drivers in the 25 to 35 year-old
age group were responsible for more traffic crashes than any other drivers,
and that they suffered more injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes.
These drivers also committed frequent traffic law violations, including
traveling at unsafe speeds, improper turning, right-of-way violations
and disregarding traffic signs and signals.
Coalition members also identified a citywide decrease
in public awareness of the importance of traffic injury prevention.
The bicycle helmet compliance rate for children ages 1 to 17 was only
57 percent, and certain corridors of the city were unsafe for pedestrians.
In addition, law enforcement officers clearly needed to increase traffic
citations for non-use of seat belts and child safety seats, as well
as a wide range of moving violations.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to decrease injuries and fatalities
resulting from motor vehicle crashes, San Diego Safe Communities—2000
developed a plan to design and implement interventions addressing the
traffic safety needs of the entire San Diego community. Objectives of
the program are to:
- Provide basic information, and elementary
and advanced training on the correct use of seat belts and child safety
seats
- Implement a procedure to collect, evaluate and summarize traffic
safety data for use in identifying priorities and planning targeted
interventions
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
To assist in the assignment of program priorities
for 2000, the San Diego Safe Communities Coalition formed partnerships
with a wide array of organizations including San Diego SAFE KIDS,
Children's Hospital, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Naval
Base-Southwest, San Diego Naval Station, Commander of the Naval Surface
Force Pacific, San Diego Safety Council, San Diego Police Department-Traffic
Division, San Diego Traffic Engineering Department, Eller Media Company,
San Diego County Health Services-Emergency Medical Services and the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Activities implemented
through the San Diego Safe Communities Coalition include the following:
- Buckle Up San Diego
distributed information on seat belt awareness, correct selection,
installation and use of child safety seats, and conducted 1-day and
40-hour courses to train American Automobile Association (AAA) certified
child passenger safety (CPS) technicians and instructors
- Displays featuring Buckle Up messages were designed for use on
30 billboards located on roadways throughout San Diego
- Bicycle/pedestrian injury prevention presentations and a hands-on
training program were developed and provided to children at local
schools and community events
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