Walk Safe Program Gillian Hotz, Ph.D Director, Neurotrauma Outcome Research Associate Research Professor University of Miami /Jackson Memorial Medical Center

Sponsored by the Ryder Trauma Center at University of Miami – Miller School of Medicine. Funding for this program provided by grants from: The Florida Department of Transportation The Children’s Trust FedEx Support

Walk Safe Research Team Walk Safe Research Team Program Manager: Program Manager: Andrea Castelblanco, MD Andrea Castelblanco, MD Program Assistants: Program Assistants: Sherika Colston Sherika Colston Amberly Reynolds Amberly Reynolds Stella Elberg Stella Elberg Emily Rizzo Emily Rizzo

IT ONLY TAKES SECONDS FOR LIVES TO CHANGE FOREVER … IT ONLY TAKES SECONDS FOR LIVES TO CHANGE FOREVER …

National Problem 1. Approximately 25,000 children are struck by motor vehicles each year in the United States. 2. Pedestrian vs. motor vehicle crashes represents 22% of total injury by this population (NHTSA 2000). 3. More school aged pedestrians are killed in the afternoon than the morning with 42% of the fatalities occurring in crashes between 3 and 4 pm (USDOT 1999).

Miami-Dade County : Florida has the 2 nd highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation (NCSA, 2002) : Miami-Dade county is ranked #1 in the State for pedestrian fatalities and injuries (FDOT). 3. The mortality rate of pedestrian trauma in this county (3.9 per 100,000) is higher than the national average (2.3 per 100,000) (McCann & DeLillie,2000).

Miami-Dade County Year / Age Total 2001InjuriesFatalities InjuriesFatalities2003InjuriesFatalities Miami-Dade MPO Pedestrian Crash Data Base

Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities M-D County All Ages PHBC Fatalities PHBC Injuries

Ryder Trauma Center Ryder Trauma Center

M-D County Trauma Center Data M-D County Trauma Center Data Year(10/01-9/30) Ryder Trauma Center Liberty City Miami Children's Hospital Totals

Walk Safe Task Force established in 2001

Literature Review Child education programs are the most effective approach to prevention Widely acceptance of teaching pedestrian safety skills by using knowledge-base approaches and practical training exercises in a real traffic environment (Zeedyk eta l., 2002) The United States many years and millions of dollars researching pedestrian and bicycle safety; however, few comprehensive interventions designed to reduce pedestrian injuries in children have been evaluated.

USA Needs a Program In Canada and the United Kingdom pedestrian/bicycle safety is taught nationwide for all school- aged children. In Canada and the United Kingdom pedestrian/bicycle safety is taught nationwide for all school- aged children. There have been many attempts to teach this information, however, it is now recommended that the best place for it to be learned is in the classroom. There have been many attempts to teach this information, however, it is now recommended that the best place for it to be learned is in the classroom.

Injury Prevention Model The Four E’s  Education  Engineering  Enforcement  Encouragement

Walk Safe Can …. Reduce pediatric pedestrian injury and fatalities by providing the Walk Safe Program, a school-based safety education program for elementary school age children Reduce pediatric pedestrian injury and fatalities by providing the Walk Safe Program, a school-based safety education program for elementary school age children

Community-Based Partnership The Ryder Trauma Center Miami – Dade County Public Schools Miami – Dade Police Department Metro-Dade Public Works Department Miami–Dade School Board Police Dept. Beber Silverstein Group Funded by Florida Department of Transportation Funded by Florida Department of Transportation

Study Phases Study Phases Phase I: Review of the literature and Retrospective data review and develop Prospective Surveillance System (2001) Phase II: Develop PPT Study & Partnerships (2001/2002) Phase III: Pilot Project in 4 schools in 2 high risk districts (2/02) Phase IV: WalkSafe:16 schools in LC (2/03) Phase V: WalkSafe:203 schools MD(10/03) Phase VI: Sustaining WalkSafe and (10/04) Expansion Expansion

But can it work… In the highest risk area in Miami-Dade County? The primary aim of Phase IV was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Walk Safe program, an elementary school based pedestrian safety program in a single high-risk district in Miami-Dade County.

WALKSAFE PROGRAM PPT Study: 16 Elementary Schools in Liberty City

Liberty City Pedestrian Crashes Before and After Walk Safe Program Year / Age Total (WS 2/03)

The Intervention Making Communities Safer

Program Objectives 1. Implementation of a formal educational school based program for elementary school children ( K -5) 2. Development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary community oriented partnership program, involving: education, engineering and enforcement. 3. Implementation of the Walk Safe Program on a yearly basis.

Goals 1. To lower the incidence of Pediatric Pedestrian Trauma (PPT). 2. Increase school age children’s knowledge about pedestrian safety. 3. Develop street crossing skills. 4. Change pedestrian behavior. 5. Create a more pedestrian – friendly environment around schools. 6. Collect data to measure program outcomes.

Walk Safe Program Curriculum The program will be held daily for half hour sessions on three consecutive days. The program will be held daily for half hour sessions on three consecutive days. Three separate curricula will be presented: Three separate curricula will be presented: - Kindergarten and Grade 1 - Grades 2 and 3 - Grades 4 and 5 Each curriculum has three lesson plans. Each curriculum has three lesson plans.

Intervention Schedule October5October6October11 WednesdayThursdayTuesday Walk to school day Classroom Education & Video Outside Simulation Poster Contest The program curricula will be taught this year to coincide with the International Walk to School Day.

International Walk to School Week International Walk to School Week: International Walk to School Week: October 3 – 7, 2005 October 3 – 7, 2005 International Walk to School Day: International Walk to School Day: Wednesday October 5, 2005 Wednesday October 5, 2005 Information: Information: call Brian Hannigan, call Brian Hannigan, ext ext. 2516

International Walk to School Day, 2003 – Devon Aire Elementary

Walk Safe Outline 1. Objective 2. Materials 3. Agenda and Activities 4. Surveys 5. Dissemination

Educational Videos All videos for the Walk Safe Program will be available on Teachers Choice. In order to schedule the videos for your class you need to call and then follow the menu. All videos for the Walk Safe Program will be available on Teachers Choice. In order to schedule the videos for your class you need to call and then follow the menu. Name of the video Grade Level Code “Stop and Look with Willy Whistle “ K – 3rd 1070 “A Surprise for Otto “ K – 3rd 1073 “Walking with your eyes” 4 – 5th 1069

Walk Safe Websites FLASH/index.html and FLASH/index.html and FLASH/index.html and These websites have all the materials needed for the Walk Safe program. For any further information, contact the Neurotrauma Research Office at

Walk Safe Program Curriculum Kindergarten and Grade 1 Day 1: Classroom Education & Video 1. Thought provoking questions (pay special attention to their answers). 2. Videos: “Stop and Look with Willy Whistle”, “A Surprise for Otto” 3. Students will answer questions about the video. 4. Complete workbook activities.

WalkSafe Program Curriculum Kindergarten and Grade 1 Day 2: Outside Simulation 1. A brief review. 2. Street crossing activity: Using a pretend road (set-up on school grounds), students will be asked to react to different scenarios. 3. Red & green circles will be needed. 4. If time permits, students should complete workbook activities.

Outside Simulation Car on the street Cones Curb/edge Spot for teacher, Conducting the simulation Students

An open space and creativity are needed to recreate your pretend road…

Stop and look L-R-L

At the front of a car Stop and look L-R-L

Throw out a ball and see if the child follows the safety rules

WalkSafe Program Curriculum Kindergarten and Grade 1 Day 3: Poster Contest Review key concepts learned during the week Students will create a poster about how to cross the street safely Each child will receive a Walk Safe certificate.

WalkSafe Program Curriculum Grades 2 and Same basic layout as K- curriculum Use of the same videos Introduce the word pedestrian Outside activities are the same Poster contest on day 3.

WalkSafe Program Curriculum Grades 4 and 5 Day Short video: “Walking With Your Eyes.” Days A brief review Using a pretend road (set-up on school grounds), students will play a game that requires them to use their knowledge of pedestrian safety.

WalkSafe Program Curriculum Grades 4 and 5 Day Review key concepts learned during the week Students will create a poster about how to cross the street safely Each child will receive a WALKSAFE certificate.

Engineering Component for Liberty City Schools The following environmental recommendations for pedestrian were safety submitted: ● ● New street signage for pedestrians (16/16) ● ● Repaint pavement markings (16/16) ● ● New flashing signals (3/16) ● ● Relocation of speed and loading zones (5/16) ● ● ● ● Increase maintenance of the street (2/16) ● Relocation of signals and crosswalks (4/16) ● Request for additional crossing guards (2/16) A total of 32 orders were approved by the Department to be corrected during the year 2003.

Enforcement Enforcement For the month of October we encourage the participation of the M-D Police Dept and M-D School Board Police and City of Miami Gardens Police Dept. to increase radar, ticketing and enforce traffic laws around the elementary schools.

Checklist   Program available on line.   Copy of the curriculum and program materials.   Schedule a training session using the Walk Safe PowerPoint presentation for all of your teachers at your school.   Work on time and scheduling for the program on the designated days.   Check resources available at your school.

  Teachers Survey Make sure your teachers complete the Walk Safe Program Survey available online and submit it back to your schools office at the end of the program. Your feedback is very important to us…

…You can help our kids Walk Safe! Ayude a nuestros ninos a dar pasos seguros !!