Education
Education is one of the most popular—and powerful—tools organizations can use to improve traffic safety.
Changing driver behavior is the focus of traffic safety education efforts. It is not enough for drivers to understand the "rules of the road." Drivers must be motivated to change their driving habits.
Education and enforcement efforts working together can be an effective strategy for improving roadway safety. Targeted enforcement in areas such as drunk driving and safety belt use can be coordinated with educational efforts such as posters, news releases, and public service announcements.
Below are more ideas for using education to further your TZD efforts.
In the Classroom
Educating young people about responsible motor vehicle operation means more than teaching traffic laws in drivers' education. New drivers should also learn about the dangers of alcohol or drug use, speeding, and aggressive driving. A well-rounded driver education program is an essential first step in promoting lifelong safe driving behavior.
Drivers' education modules
Get involved with your school's designated driver's education instructors to make sure that your community's specific traffic safety issues are addressed in their lesson plans.
General student audiences
Work with your school administration to incorporate traffic safety messages into regular classroom instruction, or make it the subject of a special presentation to all students.
Education Resources & Links
Minnesota Department of Public Safety—Office of Traffic Safety
Many resources related to roadway safety and accident reduction, including current and past issues of Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts
Minnesota Traffic Safety Resource Catalog (Department of Public Safety)
Customizable, professionally designed education/advertising materials
Child Passenger Safety Program (Department of Public Safety)
Information and guidelines for keeping children safe in vehicles
The Minnesota State Patrol has created a powerful presentation featuring a new highway safety video, “How to Save a Life.” For information about bringing this presentation to your school, contact Lt. Matt Langer with the State Patrol. You can also watch a special KMSP-TV Fox 9 news report on the video, In-Depth: How to Save a Life.
2009 NHTSA National Communications Plan
NHTSA’s national marketing and communications plan provides promotional materials and tools that can be tailored to state and local programs.
"Gimmee a Boost!" A Multi-Faceted Community and School Intervention to Increase Booster Seat Use in Rural Communities (New York State) (PDF)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2005
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration "Safety School"
Information and tools for teaching younger students about traffic safety
Public Information and Education in the Promotion of Highway Safety
Transportation Research Board, 2007
NCHRP Research Results Digest 322
Assesses the role of public information and education programs in contributing to behavior change in highway safety.
Minnesota Safety Council– traffic safety resources
Courses and other educational tools from a private, not-for-profit organization
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Campaigns and resource materials for reducing impaired driving by adults
Partners for Rural Traffic Safety. Action Kit
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2001
DOT HS 809 299
This toolkit provides strategies for increasing seat belt use. Fifteen communities took part in the project to develop strategies for increasing seat belt use. By using the roadmap and tools enclosed in this Kit, any rural community can replicate the success achieved by the 15 communities that took part in the pilot project.
Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse - Education section
The Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse provides links to safety publications and other resources, organized by topic.
Outside the Classroom
Education also includes public information campaigns targeting specific problems identified within your community, such as alcohol or drug use, seat belt use, or speeding. There are many different ways to get your message out to the driving public, including:
Promotional materials
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides educational marketing materials such as printed public service announcements targeting driving safety issues such as drunk driving, seat belt use, and distracted driving.
Group presentations
Public and private entities can receive free traffic safety presentations from a Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) safety education officer (SEO). If you are interested in having an SEO talk about the importance of seat belts, child safety seats and other traffic safety issues with your organization, visit that Patrol's Web site and select the area in which you reside.
News media
Getting the local media interested in traffic safety issues is an effective way of bringing attention to your coalition's activities. Reporters are often eager to develop local interest stories focusing on the work of community groups. Minnesota DPS has created news releases on safety-related subjects that community groups can use to work with their local news media.
Public events
Public gatherings or events are a great opportunity to get your message out. Fairs, local festivals, and other events often allow community groups to set up displays or tables.
- Several banners with the "Buckle Up—Minnesota" message are available to be borrowed for community events through the Office of Traffic Safety. To request a banner, call 651-296-6653.
- The Minnesota State Patrol has a "roll-over" simulator available for events. The simulator demonstrates the importance of wearing a seat belt in a roll-over situation. A trained trooper will transport and run the simulator at your event. The simulator is available for free. Contact Kammy Huneke at 651-201-7420.
- Minnesota Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has several crashed vehicles around the state available for events. Your organization must cover the cost of towing. Contact John Barney, MADD Crash Car Coordinator, at 651-209-3251.
Employers
Employers can receive free resources and assistance through the Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). This project is a public-private partnership jointly sponsored by the Minnesota Safety Council and the Minnesota Department of Public Safetyproject is. NETS focuses on occupant restraints, speed, alcohol, and aggressive driving.
The Internet
You have already discovered that the Internet is a great way to share information. There are many resources—both in print and on the Web—to help you plan a Web site yourself. Or, consider partnering with a high school or college to use the skills of local students, many of whom are eager for real-world experience.
The key to a successful Web site is getting people to see it. Feature the address of your Web site on printed materials and make sure it is mentioned in news articles about your organization. If your plans include educational efforts in schools, encourage teachers to include your Web site in their lesson plans.