The funds will be used to help reduce injuries and deaths due to
motor vehicle and pedestrian crashes by using several
interventions, including policy, systems and environmental
recommendations as well as outreach and education activities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the
leading cause of death in the U.S. for persons ages 15 to 20 is
motor vehicle crashes. In DeKalb County, between 2002 and 2006,
motor vehicle crashes were responsible for 37,038 emergency room
visits, 2,577 hospitalizations and 418 deaths, according to the
2010 Status of Health in DeKalb report. These crashes are the
leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 34. “Helping teens
and young people to adopt safe driving behaviors and habits
early, through prevention education, helps to save lives.” said
Denika Lomax, injury prevention coordinator. Safe Communities
conducted seat belt surveys at five high schools in the county
and found that only 13 percent of teen drivers were not buckled
up. Further, 9 percent of