Enhancing Behavioral Traffic Safety Efforts
to Engage Underserved Communities

Traffic crash fatalities disproportionately affect underserved communities, in particular people of color, areas of persistent poverty, and historically disadvantaged communities. This long-standing and systemic problem reinforces the need to implement highway safety programs more equitably, with an increased focus on underserved communities. Our team, in partnership with Fors Marsh, is conducting research on how State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) and other safety organizations can achieve effective engagement with underserved communities through equity informed communication methods and outreach efforts. As part of the research project, we will develop a noteworthy practices guide for SHSOs and other traffic safety organizations, as well as conduct a workshop with representatives of SHSOs and other highway safety organizations to present key research findings.