Grants to UC San Diego will boost roadway safety for Native American youth and pedestrians

(Press-News.org) The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego is expanding its roadway safety education efforts to reach more Californians, with a focus on Native American youth, pedestrian safety and Spanish-speaking communities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 39,345 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2024, marking one of the highest fatality totals in nearly two decades.

Traffic deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals are 20% higher than the national average, and the gap widens sharply among young drivers; AIAN individuals ages 16 to 24 experience a fatality rate 69% higher than their non-AIAN peers.

These disparities underscore the urgent need for effective, culturally responsive traffic safety programs that serve communities at greatest risk.

With support from two grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the NHTSA, the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health’s Transportation Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) Center continues to develop and deliver innovative educational programs to promote safe driving for all roadway users, including drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Empowering Tribal Communities Through Education and Collaboration A $240,000 grant from OTS supports the expansion of Honoring Our Ancestors, Protecting Our Future: Traffic Safety for Native American Youth, a culturally based train-the-trainer program that promotes safe driving and addresses speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving among Native American youth ages 16 to 24.

“This initiative represents more than safety programs. It reflects respect for Native heritage, investment in community empowerment and a shared vision for safer roads across California,” said Linda Hill, M.D., M.P.H., distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and TREDS director. 

The project will train local Native peer educators to deliver the program to Native youth across the County of San Diego’s tribal communities, evaluate its impact on driving knowledge and behaviors and prepare for statewide expansion to reach additional tribal communities.

Rooted in the voices of local Kumeyaay and Luiseño youth, the program was shaped and inspired by Native artists, storytellers and elders.

“This collaboration between Kumeyaay, Luiseño, and other Native community members and UC San Diego is being led by Alexxa Casanova, a member of the San Pasqual Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and a Community Coordinator. She is building meaningful relationships with local Native elders, historians and storytellers as our team develops this safety project,” said Chag Lowry, M.Ed. (Yurok/Maidu/Achumawi), UC San Diego Indigenous Futures Institute executive director, who is part of this project’s team. “This is an important accomplishment, and we look forward to continuing to grow this work.”

Online Pedestrian Safety Course and Spanish Program Through the support of a $350,000 grant from OTS, TREDS will create two self-paced online courses: a new course and a Spanish-language version of an existing program.

The first course, “TREDwise — Get There Safely,” will convert an existing TREDS’ curriculum into an interactive online learning experience designed to help pedestrians recognize and avoid dangerous traffic situations, practice defensive walking strategies, and adopt safe behaviors that reduce risk on the streets.

“Pedestrian safety education plays a key role in keeping our communities safe,” said Ryan Moran, M.D., M.P.H., clinical professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and TREDS co-director. “By empowering people with practical knowledge and culturally responsive strategies, we can prevent injuries, reduce crashes and make our communities safer for everyone.

In addition, TREDS will develop a Spanish-language version of its popular, and Emmy® Award-winning online course, “The Distraction Zone,” broadening access for California’s Spanish-speaking community. 

Adapted from TREDS’ “Just Drive — Take Action Against Distraction” curriculum, “The Distraction Zone” addresses the risks and consequences of distracted driving and practical strategies to stay safe on the road.

Through interactive lessons and real-world examples, learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to reduce distractions behind the wheel and make safer driving decisions.

These educational initiatives are designed to make roadway safety education more inclusive and accessible, giving communities evidence-based tools to prevent injuries and save lives.

“Our goal is to make safety education available to everyone, everywhere,” Moran said. “By offering digital access and Spanish-language materials, we can reach more Californians, particularly those in communities at higher risk of traffic-related injuries.”

TREDS provides a range of courses, online training and educational materials designed to advance roadway safety. The program offers train-the-trainer resources that equip law enforcement, clinicians and other roadway safety professionals with effective strategies to promote safe driving, as well as self-paced online courses that engage and educate the public.

These free resources address topics such as pedestrian safety, distracted driving prevention, refresher education for older drivers and impaired driving due to alcohol, cannabis and prescription medications.

View more news at: https://today.ucsd.edu

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