Grants expand roadway safety programs to Native American youth and older drivers

(Press-News.org) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2023 a staggering 40,990 people died from motor vehicle crashes in the United States, reflecting some of the highest numbers seen in nearly two decades.

The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego is creating programs to improve safety for all roadway users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. With support from two grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the NHTSA, the school is developing an educational program geared towards Native American youth as well as new online courses to improve older driver safety.

Youth Safety

Research indicates that Native American youth are at increased risk of dangerous driving behaviors including driving impaired, speeding, distracted driving and non-compliance with seat belt usage. A $320,000 OTS grant allows the Transportation Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) Center at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health to develop an educational program that addresses these topics.

It is estimated that Native Americans and Alaska Natives have the highest traffic fatality rate compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Specifically, motor vehicle deaths among children and youth ages 0 to 19 years are up to eight times higher than those of other groups.

“The urgency to address these challenges stems from the alarming rates of motor vehicle crashes within the Native American youth community,” said Linda Hill, MD, MPH, distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and TREDS director. “A tailored intervention is crucial to reduce the incidence of crashes and to empower a paradigm shift in driving behaviors, fostering a culture of responsibility and safety while honoring cultural traditions.”

TREDS initiated the “Steer Clear – Decide to Drive Sober” for teens in 2019, which has been taught across California by safety professionals in schools and communities; an online version of this program became available in 2023. The program emphasizes the risks and consequences of impaired driving among teens, as well as strategies to avoid this dangerous behavior.

Through partnership and collaboration with tribal communities, TREDS will adapt this program to Native American youth and expand the topics that are addressed. It will be disseminated by peer educators using a Train-the-Trainer model titled “Honoring Our Ancestors, Protecting Our Future: Traffic Safety for Native American Youth.”

“The ‘Train-the-Trainer’ model will enable community leaders, educators and influencers to deliver meaningful and effective road safety education within their communities,” said Hill. “Our TREDS Center on campus includes local Native representation, and we will incorporate historical knowledge of communities, utilize Native art for educational purposes and integrate cultural practices to teach healthy driving decisions.”

Online Safe Driver Training

In addition to the project for Native American youth, TREDS received a $387,000 grant to adapt two in-person courses to self-paced online formats.

TREDS developed “Drive Safer Drive Longer” in 2013, a course designed to refresh drivers’ knowledge of the rules of the road and promote safe driving among aging drivers. Since its creation, this course has reached more than 5,000 older drivers throughout California. It is projected that 1 in 5 drivers will be over the age of 65 by 2030. Driving is the primary mode of transportation used by the current adult population; for many, it has been decades since receiving driver education.

Emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving is also a priority for TREDS this year. “Higher Education – Driving High is DUI,” developed in 2019, addresses impairment due to cannabis and prescription medication. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of any impairing substance is a major cause of vehicle crashes. While people mistakenly believe they are safe to drive after consuming a drug, their driving performance may still be impaired, which increases crash risk.

“Roadway safety can be improved through the delivery of education and intervention strategies that involve collaborative efforts among law enforcement, licensing agencies, healthcare providers, and the public to prevent and reduce harm due to impaired driving,” said Ryan Moran, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and TREDS co-director. “We look forward to the work TREDS is doing to enhance roadway safety for all, specifically with priority populations like Native American youth and older drivers.”

TREDS offers additional traffic safety education and training programs to the public, including a new online class called “Just Drive – Take Action Against Distraction” that focuses on distracted driving prevention.

Additionally, TREDS provides courses, online training and educational materials designed to equip law enforcement, clinicians and other roadway safety professionals with the tools necessary to promote safe driving. These free resources address pedestrian safety, distracted driving prevention, refresher education for older drivers and impaired driving due to alcohol, cannabis and prescription medications.

The grant programs run through September 2025.

For more information about the program or to request a training, contact TREDS at 858-534-8386 or email treds@ucsd.edu.

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