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SAFE COMMUNITIES: REDUCING TRAFFIC INJURIES ACROSS GEORGIA Safe Communities is a model used by communities all across the country to identify and address local injury problems. Safe Communities are grounded in two basic principles. They are founded on the goal of reducing traffic injuries and are dependent upon a diverse group of partners for their success. Safe Communities have four defining characteristics: Data Linkage, Expanded Partnerships, Citizen Involvement and Comprehensive Injury Control Programs. GOHS is proud to sponsor this worthwhile organization throughout Georgia. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SETTING UP A SAFE COMMUNITIES CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA, CALL 404-656-6996 |
Data
Linkage
Injury and
cost data are critical to a Safe Community Program because addressing
traffic-related injuries suggests that not only fatalities are reduced
but injuries and health costs as well. Health departments, hospitals,
emergency medical services providers, businesses and insurance companies
become sources for understanding the magnitude and consequences of traffic
injuries and monitoring progress in reducing the problem. |
Expanded
Partnerships
Safe
Community Program will draw upon new partnerships. The Safe Community
Coalition will include traditional traffic safety partners such as law
enforcement, local government and schools. Non-traditional partners would
include the Medical disciplines and others. |
Citizen Involvement
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Comprehensive Injury Control Program
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A
Look at Georgia Safe Communities
Albany Safe Communities is administered through the Traffic Division of the City of Albany’s Engineering Department. The mission of Albany Safe Communities is to improve the safety of the community through traffic crash injury and fatality reduction. The mission is promoted through community mobilizations, public education and by providing full support to law enforcement efforts directed at traffic compliance. Albany Safe Communities spearheads or participates in a number of traffic safety projects, events and campaigns. The board members of Albany Safe Communities believe that education, engineering, and enforcement are critical to improving the safety of Georgia’s motoring public. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALBANY SAFE COMMUNITIES, VISIT THEM ON THE WEB AT: http://www.albany.ga.us/Engineering/eng_safe_comm.htm Cobb Safe Communities addresses diverse driving issues to achieve a positive impact on crashes, injuries and fatalities. This program provides lunch and learn sessions at Coalition Companies to educate and inform members of the causes of injuries and fatalities. Safety education is also provided at six high schools and six middle schools. Columbus Safe Communities is unique because it operates under the umbrella of a nonprofit organization. The Urban League of Greater Columbus is a multicultural community service agency committed to assuring equality of opportunity for all citizens of the greater Columbus area. The Columbus Safe Communities has formed a strong collaborative made up of agencies such as the Columbus Police Department, SAFE Kids of Georgia Columbus Coalition, Columbus Consolidated Government, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Columbus Regional Medical Center, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, State Farm Insurance, Columbus Health Department, Fire Department, EMS and the Muscogee County School District and Drug Free Schools. The strong collaborative has allowed this program to reach approximately 10,000 school aged students. Fulton Safe Communities primary focus is to increase safety belt usage rate among children 4 – 8 years of age and reduce teen fatalities and injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes. A strong focus of this program is educating parents on the importance of buckling up by targeting elementary /high schools, churches and community leaders. Issuing free booster seats to under served communities throughout the county, coalition building to assess the traffic concerns of the community and enforcement. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FULTON SAFE COMMUNITIES, CONTACT 404-730-1377. DeKalb Safe Communities has a wide-ranging focus with workgroups addressing Pedestrian Safety, Road Redesign, Driver Behavior and Data Collection and Analysis. The primary focus of the Safe Communities is Pedestrian Safety. Activities dealing with pedestrian safety include maintaining a database on all pedestrian related incidents in the county, holding Walk Your Child to School events and conducting an assessment of issues of pedestrian safety around all area schools and raise awareness of pedestrian safety concerns in the Buford Highway area. In addition, this program provides monthly child passenger safety classes at the Health Department. LEARN MORE ABOUT DEKALB SAFE COMMUNITIES BY VISITING THEM ON THE WEB AT: http://www.dekalbhealth.net/information/injury-prevention-safecommunities.asp |
