Traffic Safety Digest  
Summer 2002
 
Project Characteristics
Outstanding, Collaborative Effort
Program Areas
Child Passenger Safety

Occupant Protection

Type of Jurisdiction
State

Targeted Population
Parents, safety advocates, law enforcement, medical personnel, and EMS

Jurisdiction Size
4.4 million

Funding
Section 2003b: $120,200
Other (donations): $10,000

Contact
Bridget Schumert, RN
Charity Hospital Trauma Program
1532 Tulane Ave. W404
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 903-8592 

Digest Listing


     

LOUISIANA
Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

With a growing number of Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS) and CPS activities being conducted independently throughout the state, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission sought to establish a uniform statewide approach to CPS Technician trainings, CPS checkup events, and other occupant protection activities.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In an attempt to increase seat belt usage and proper use of child safety seats in the state, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force (LPSTF) was formed. The focus of this statewide network of child safety seat advocates was to minimize serious and fatal injuries from motor vehicle crashes through education, information, and standardized training, thus making unrestrained children in motor vehicles unacceptable in Louisiana.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) contracted with the LPSTF in order to intensify awareness about occupant protection and provide widespread community education and coordinated child safety seat checks throughout Louisiana. To reach the objectives, LPSTF sought to reduce motor vehicle-related fatal and injury crashes to children through the following activities.

  • Coordinate and support educational efforts by CPS advisory group members during National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaigns (such as Buckle Up America or National CPS Week).

  • Provide a minimum of five, five-day standardized child passenger safety (CPS) instructor/ technician classes in geographically appropriate areas for statewide impact. Areas will be selected based on lack of trained individuals in a particular area and accessibility for training facilities.

  • Maintain a CPS advisory group to help provide a statewide comprehensive network of certified CPS technicians and instructors. The group would meet quarterly and be responsible for gathering and maintaining a database of all Louisiana CPS technicians.

  • Create and maintain standardized, minimum requirements for CPS instruction provided during state generated CPS courses and the four-day NHTSA courses.

  • Conduct at least 18 checkup events throughout the state.

  • Provide 18 one-day instructional courses (one per region) to recruit technicians, educate community groups, and promote occupant protection.

  • Attend various training and conferences that provide specific information on occupant protection. All CPS related conference attendee requests will be referred to the Task Force for funding.

RESULTS

The LPSTF established nine regional task forces throughout the state, helping to make passenger safety a priority in all areas of Louisiana. The 13 state National Child Passenger Safety Instructors along with regional leaders developed the groundwork and goals. In the past year, the task force obtained $120,200 in grant funding from LHSC. State Farm Insurance Company donated an additional $10,000 for training. Additional costs are offset with in-kind donations from Charity Hospital in New Orleans and other partnering agencies statewide. In one year, the task force checked nearly 1,000 child seats and distributed 2,000 booster seats to the general public throughout the state. To date, 175 people have been trained as nationally certified child passenger safety technicians; more courses are scheduled in 2002.

 

 
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