MPC
Research Projects (2008-09)
Identifying Number
MPC-308
Project Title
Phase I: Pilot Project to Develop Rural Youth Occupant Protection Education Platform
University
North Dakota State UniversityProject Investigators
Jarret Brachman, UGPTI
Dean Aakre, NDSU Extension Service
Desiree’ Tande, NDSU Extension Service
Description of Project Abstract
Safe travel is essential public goods that are influenced by a wide array of policies and individual choices. In identifying target populations for enhancing traffic safety, facts suggest that young, rural residents are most at need in North Dakota (North Dakota Department of Transportation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control). Between 2000 and 2004 approximately 61 percent of deaths among North Dakota’s youth ages 8 to 18 were caused by unintentional injury. Motor vehicle deaths were far leading among causes, accounting for 71 percent of these unintentional injuries. In addition to these statistics, it is evident in anecdotal stories that rural North Dakota children and teenagers are increasingly exposed to the potential for traffic injury as school consolidation requires more travel for education and extracurricular activities.
Rural roads traffic safety has been identified as a target area for U.S. traffic safety (The Road Information Program, 2005; U.S. Department of Transportation, 2005). Programs such as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration’s High Risk Rural Roads Program focuses on engineering aspects of road safety, while its’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers several programs to promote rural roads safety through education and policy initiatives. At the local level ND DOT supported Safe Communities and the ND Safety Council’s Safe Kids program, which receives support from the ND Department of Public Health, offer training and education aimed at reducing traffic deaths. The review of literature and activities calendars for these groups, along with discussions with state safety experts, suggests that the exposure for these programs is largely in more urban areas. Due to resource constraints and proximity to more rural areas, it is difficult for these groups to develop and offer traffic safety programs (such as seatbelt and car/booster seat educational programs) that are designed for rural areas.
The North Dakota Extension Service has been identified as an untapped partner and resource in reaching the rural population with respect to safe driving. The state experts who work with educators and a state-wide network of county extension agents provide a potential nexus for developing and deploying educational materials directed at this high-risk population of rural drivers and passengers. The resource materials may be developed to suit specific age groups such as young teen drivers or target groups such as younger children who are the future drivers, and current passengers, in these rural areas. The education materials may be designed for teachers 4-H leaders, and/or other community youth leaders to use in their curriculum.
Project Objective
The goal of this project is to raise awareness and reduce traffic deaths and injuries for young North Dakota residents. This project is designed as a first phase in determining the potential and effectiveness to actively extend the traffic safety network to include the North Dakota Extension Services. In phase one, a target audience and existing program will be identified for developing and deploying a traffic safety initiative specific to occupant protection through the Extension Service. The target audience will participate in focus groups in order to develop an effective car seat/booster seat/seatbelt program. The UGPTI will offer expertise on traffic safety research and work with existing traffic safety experts in facilitating the process to educate young people in rural areas about occupant protection safety. If this pilot project is successful, the lessons learned and knowledge gained will be used to create, adapt or update education materials and create a statewide system for consistent and continuous work on educating the rural youth about occupant protection as a critical rural health issue.
Project Approach/Methods
Pilot Project – Rural Youth Traffic Safety, in cooperation with NDSU Extension. Potential counties that have voiced possible interest for participation: Benson, Emmons, Grand Forks, Hettinger, Lamoure, Sheridan, Sioux, and Ward. Case Study Analysis and Pilot Project Assessment will be completed in addition.
MPC Critical Issues Addressed by the Research
- High-Risk Rural Roads.
- Effective Safety Management.
- Human Factors.
Contributions/Potential Applications of Research
A Case Study Analysis to provide for future work on methods to education youth statewide on occupant protection.
Technology Transfer Activities
Tangible Products
- New, updated or adapted Education Materials for Occupant Protection
Technology Transfer
- Ideas Exchange
- Issues Exposure
- Identify Research Needs
Time Duration
July 2008 through June 2009 – Phase 1
July 2009 through June 2010 – Phase 2 (intended extension of 1st phase)
Total Project Cost
$31,287
MPC Funds Requested
$15,494
TRB Keywords
Safety, rural transportation, community action plans, occupant protection, safe driving, behaviors
References
- The Road Information Program, 2005, Growing Traffic in Rural America: Safety, Mobility, and Economic Challenge’s in America’s Heartland, Washington, D.C.
- U.S. Department of Transportation, 2005, Contrasting Rural and Urban Fatal Crashes, 1994 to 2003, Technical Report DOT HS 809 896, December 2005.
