PROJECT FINAL REPORT
No.SA9805

Traffic Safety Communities Network in Santa Clara County
May 31,2000

')

Credits and Disclaimer

The Traffic Safe Communities Network(TSCN)in Santa Clara County is a coalition coordinated
through the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System/Public Health Department. This
project is a part ofthe California Traffic Safety Program and was made possible through the

support the State of California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those

ofthe authors and not necessarily those ofthe State of California or the National Highway and
Safety Administration.
Project Personnel

The(1.0 FTE)Program Coordinator managed the day-to-day operations ofthe collaborative,

including supervision of staffand consultants, maintaining and strengthening the membership
base, coordinating planning and evaluation, problem-solving/conflict resolution, leadership and
resource development, marketing/media advocacy, monitoring action plans, establishing mini
grants, developing partnerships, and preparing special studies and issuing findings. Also, the
coordinator administered budgets, negotiated contract agreements, submitted quarterly reports to
)

OTS,represented the project at meetings and public events, and maintained liaison with
stakeholders and other Safe Communities sites and OTS grantees.

The Health Education Associate(0.5FTE) was responsible for staffing the action work groups,
coordinating meetings,facilitating group process, assisting in needs assessment and survey
research,community outreach, developing the TSCN Newsletter and other public information
materials, and providing technical assistance.

The Advanced Clerk Tj^Dist(0.5 FTE)provided support for various assignments required for the
efficient management ofthe project, including the scheduling of meetings and community
activities, taking and typing meeting minutes, ordering supplies and materials, record-keeping,
updating databases, assisting with special event coordination, and preparing and sending out
mailings, newsletters and other correspondence.
Goals and Objectives
Goals:
1.

To reduce Santa Clara County traffic related fatalities and injuries as a
portion of the county’s total fatalities and injuries(eg. falls, burns,violence)
0.5% from the calendar 1998 base year total to be determined.
Data unavailable at this time.

2.

To reduce Santa Clara County traffic related fatalities and injuries 5% from
the calendar 1996 base year total of 12,502 to 11,877 by December 31,1999.
1

Data unavailable at this time.

Objectives:
1.

To complete a comprehensive injury assessment of motor vehicle and other
unintentional injuries in the Santa Clara County/Cities area by April 30,
1998.

The Santa Clara County(SCC)Data Management and Statistics Unit

developed a draft of preliminary statistics of motor vehicle and other
unintentional injuries by March 1998 using SWITRS 1996, along with
mortality and hospital discharge databases from the Public Health
Department. After the receipt ofthe 1996-97 SWITRS databases from CHP
in June 1998, Data Management and Statistics decoded SWITRS databases
by September 1998. Hence,this allowed the unit greater access to stratifying
requested data for SCC by several traffic areas. In addition, the unit attained
figures on traffic safety practices of high school and middle school students
with the development ofthe Public Health Department’s countywide. Youth
Risk Behavioral Survey- 1999(YRBS).Information included teenage
alcohol consumption and driving, and bicycle/motorcycle helmet use.

Due to the lag in data collection and entry into several county and state
databases, TSCN has been unable to receive statistics on a timely manner.
However,the Data Management and Statistics Unit continues to provide
TSCN with the most updated statistics available on traffic issues and
unintentional injuries on an as needed basis. Furthermore,the Data
Assessment Work Group identified the need for a comprehensive injury
surveillance oftraffic issues countywide. Hence,a survey was developed to
determine methods and software used in each city for traffic data collection,

)

mapping, and analysis. Surveys were distributed to all law enforcement and
traffic engineering departments. The Work Group aims to standardize
protocols for traffic safety data management and mapping systems,
including citations and collision databases.
2.

To complete a Safe Community best practices assessment for each of the
Santa Clara County cities in the project and the unincorporated county area
by April 30,1998.

Due to the delayed hiring ofTSCN staff(February 1998), the Safe Communities
best practices countywide assessment was not completed until July 1998. Dr.
Daniel Perales, Associate Professor at San Jose State University, was contracted
by TSCN to develop the survey tool and analyze the results. The survey
identified gaps in current best practice activities among several agencies: law
enforcement, traffic engineering, and community,health, school, and safety
organizations.
3.

To convene a Countywide Traffic Safe Community Network; establish ad
hoc city task forces as needed, beginning in November 1997,on-going
periodically throughout the grant period.

2

During the first year, six TSCN committees were formed to conduct master
planning: Steering, Assessment/Data, City Partnerships, Community MiniGrants, Outreach and Education, and Policy. Committees were responsible for
identifying priority areas, developing partnerships among agencies and
community groups, and creating a strategic plan to reduce traffic safety

)

problems within the county.

Examining traffic safety problems ranging from child passenger safety to
aggressive driving, TSCN conducted a needs assessment of“best practices”
being implemented in the county at the time. The TSCN committees used the
results to identify intervention priorities. In January 1999, the TSCN entered
into a multi-year implementation phase. With the completion of the coalition’s
strategic planning, the original committees were replaced by action-oriented
Work Groups based on the priorities ofthe Network: Data Analysis, Alcohol
and Impaired Driving, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, Red Light/Stop Sign
Running, and Child Passenger Safety.

With the help of the SCC District Attorney’s Office, the Red Sign Running
Work Group consisting of law enforcement and traffic engineers, participated in
a “first ever” meeting with traffic commissioners in March 2000. The focus was
to inform the traffic commissioners about the upcoming Stop Red Light
Running Partnership Program and the use of red light indicators (rat boxes,) to
enhance enforcement. Both the traffic judges and members of the Red Light
Running Work Group recognized the need and benefit for continued meetings
among these agencies.

)

4.

To develop an Action Plan for promoting Traffic Safe Community objectives
during the following year in Santa Clara County/Cities, by December 31,
1998.

Using results of the best practices needs assessment, the planning committees
formulated goals, objectives, and action plans by the end of 1998. During the
implementation phase and the creation of the work groups in 1999, additional
objectives and goals were added to the action plan, based on feasible priorities.
5.

To develop a community mini-grant program to disseminate funding to cities
for traffic safety activities by September 30,1998.
Request for applications for TSCN community mini-grants were disseminated to
over 400 agencies in the county in September 1998. Reviewers of the submitted
grant proposals represented the California Department of Health Services, Contra
Costa County, NHTSA,and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
On December 4, 1998, twelve (12) grants were awarded to organizations
representing communities throughout the county. Grant awards ranged from
$5,000 to $25,000.
With the assistance of Jack Champlin from NHTSA Region IX and Dana Lidster
from OTS, the TSCN was awarded a budget augmentation to allow the Network
to fund an additional five(5)applicants in March 1999. Pre-operational meetings
were held for all grant recipients to inform them about OTS grant procedures and
requirements and to begin processing Service Agreements.
3

6.

To award community mini-grant funds to recipients by December 31, 1998.

Upon completion of the formalized Service Agreement contracts with the Santa

)

Clara County Public Health Department, the community mini-grant recipients
received reimbursement for their projects as the Department’s Finance Unit

processed their invoices. A total of $251,552 was budgeted for mini-grantees
during the project.
7.

To promote the spread of the Best Practice activities through meetings and
other communications, leading to the upgrading of model Safe Community

programs in individual cities by December 31,1999.
In April 1998 and in September 1999, TSCN hosted two Safe Communities
Workshops, presented by NHTSA Region IX staff The focus of the workshops
included best practice guidelines, and useful tools and approaches for program
management, assessment, and evaluation.
Throughout the grant period, the Best Practices for a Safe Community booklet
from NHTSA was used as an educational tool for outreach. During the planning

phase, NHTSA’s best practices were discussed at committee and lull Network
meetings to help prioritize feasible traffic safety activities for the coalition. In
addition, NHTSA’s guidelines served as the basis for the best practice assessment
of Santa Clara County’s current traffic safety activities in July 1998.

Subsequently, TSCN tailored Best Practices to fit the needs of SCC,as formulated
in the TSCN Action Plan in December 1998.

)

Both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and the Child Passenger Safety Work
Groups researched recent best practices in these traffic safety areas and
incorporated them into surveys designed to determine what agencies, schools, and
government departments were implementing best practice projects.
Presentations on TSCN best practices and NHTSA’s Safe Communities model

were made to the City Managers Association and the SCC Police Chiefs.
8.

To coordinate with other OTS grants in Santa Clara County to maximize the

impact and spread of the activity in Santa Clara County,from March 1998
through December 1999.

Throughout the grant cycle, TSCN staff have been in regular contact with Debbie
Loomis at the San Diego Safe Communities 2000 project. Discussions involved
countywide planning, outreach, project activities, and request for
applications/grant information.
In addition, TSCN staff maintained regular contact with Ann Horton and Mozell
Zarit from the Department of Health Services EPlC/Safe Communities Project.
DHS continues to be a tremendous support to TSCN by providing materials and
information. DHS also facilitated the monthly Safe Communities telephone
conference calls, which provided an effective way to learn about other traffic
safety projects and discuss common barriers/opportunities in program planning
and implementation.
4

Also, from September 1998 to April 1999, TSCN worked closely with Alexian
Brothers Hospital and the Alcohol Beverage Control(ABC)in the planning,
development, and implementation of the successful “Every 15 Minutes” program
at high schools in Santa Clara County.
9.

To promote interest of the project through a calendar of Traffic Safety
Awareness activities and a newsletter to city and county participants and
partners, bi-monthly beginning in November 1998.

TSCN calendar of events were produced and distributed monthly at meetings and
via mail since April 1998. Although developments of the TSCN Newsletter

began in November 1998, the Steering Committee voted to postpone
dissemination until the Action Plan was completed. However, due to technical
difficulties (delayed delivery of the publishing software), the newsletter was not
completed and mailed until mid-April 1999, along with monthly event calendars.

The bi-monthly newsletters contained information on projects funded by TSCN
mini-grants, events and conferences, recent traffic safety information, and

Network updates. Topics included the Stop Red Light Running countywide
program, pedestrian safety, and the “youthquake”.
10.

To evaluate the project impact by establishing surveillance systems and
reporting on the project activities on a quarterly basis,(January, 1998
through December, 1999).

Minutes from each committee, work group, steering, and full Network meetings

)

were taken since the development of the coalition to document discussions,

events, and activities. Summaries of these minutes were reported at the quarterly
full Network meetings. A quarterly synopsis describing the status ofthe TSCN
committees/work groups have also been distributed to members at the full
Network meetings.

Mainly using SWITRS data, the Data Management and Statistics Unit of the SCC
Public Health Department provided TSCN with the most recent data available to
monitor the traffic-related occurrences in the county.

Written reports on TSCN’s progress were submitted to OTS on a quarterly basis.
11.

To fax OTS(916-262-2960) at least two weeks in advance, a short description
of any new traffic safety event or program. Address the fax to the Public

Information Officer and the OTS Program Coordinator(Dana Lidster).

Throughout the grant period, TSCN has participated or initiated the following
media events and/or programs:

■ May 1998 - Buckle Up America! Week Seatbelt Checkpoints
■

August 1998 - “Traffic Safety Day” with the San Jose Clash Soccer Team

■

December 1998 -“Lights On For Life” Campaign
5

■

May 1999 - Media event to provide awareness of local statistics on motor

vehicle-related injuries/fatalities and the TSCN mini-grant funded projects
■

February 2000- High media profiled child car seat inspection event. TSCN
participated with other SAFE KIDS members.

■

March 2000 - Initiation of the Stop Red Light Running Partnership 5-month
campaign, which began with a press conference and a 3-day countywide kickoff

Methodology

Historically, traffic safety like violence prevention has had little public health sector or
community-level involvement in Santa Clara County. The project’s traffic-safety initiative based

on NHTSA’s Safe Communities model represented a first-of-its-kind effort to extend public
health, law enforcement, traffic engineering, and community planning principles into a relatively
new prevention arena.

The county’s sprawling traffic injury problems were recognized as too large, too complex, and
resources too limited for any one agency,jurisdiction, sector, or group to solve alone. The full
diversity of stakeholders and perspectives were included in developing TSCN’s multi-faceted
approach for positioning and addressing traffic safety within the context of the entire violence
and intentional/unintentional injury prevention effort.

Derived from the “best practices” partnership model NHTSA,the TSCN methodology promotes
a “bottom up” collaborative process for reducing, preventing, and controlling traffic-related
fatalities, injuries and economic costs. The first year of project operation was dedicated to
)

reviewing available data and surveying multiple jurisdictions and communities. Several key
environmental influences were considered: physical, cultural and socio-economic factors;

individual and group behavior; public policy; technology; and, professional roles. During Phase
I, the following six primary problem/gap areas were identified:
• Fragmented injury data collection and analysis

• Absence of an integrated and comprehensive injury control system
• Planning and service delivery gaps, as well as duplication of efforts
• An underdeveloped constituency for supporting the ongoing implementation of“best
practices” and “spectrum of prevention” activities, including community-based
organizations serving and representing the county’s diverse multicultural sectors

• Lack of a collaborative infrastructure for resource pooling, cross-disciplinary training,
information sharing, action planning, marketing, advocacy, and energizing linkages
among diverse agencies,jurisdictions, communities, funders, and organizational sectors
• Policy development, evaluation, and funding limitations

After assessing community assets/gap areas and ensuring that the complete scope and magnitude
of the problem was defined, the TSCN Steering Committee developed a Phase II data-driven
action plan that recommended priority countermeasure and prevention interventions.

TSCN’s core leadership includes representatives from the “Six E’s of Traffic Safety”engineering, enforcement, education, emergency medical services, economic analysis, and
evaluation. Co-chaired by County Supervisor James T. Beall and Public Health Officer Martin

Fenstersheib, MD,the focus of the project during both phases was directed towards adopting and
6

customizing NHTSA’s Safe Community model for improving traffic safety and the quality of
community life.

)

During that initial development phase, six TSCN eommittees were convened to conduct

integrated assessment and planning activities. They were Steering, Assessment/Data, City
Partnerships, Community Mini-Grants, Outreach and Education, and Policy. They examined

an

array of traffic safety problems and conducted a needs assessment of “best practices” being
implemented at the time. Surveys were distributed to agencies, community-based organizations,
law enforcement, schools, hospitals, traffic engineers, and advocacy groups. The committees
analyzed the data and applied the results in order to identify priority concerns to be addressed,

including:

• Data Analysis

• Alcohol and Impaired Driving
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

• Stop Sign/Red Light Running and Aggressive Driving
• Child Passenger Safety

In January 1999, TSCN formulated its goals and objectives and developed an action plan. Five
action-oriented Work Groups replaced the original assessment and planning committees, and
they met regularly to champion the implementation of the action plan countywide. In addition,

members, volunteers, and Public Health staff by working together under the TSCN umbrella
nurtured community-wide involvement, diversity, and “collective intelligence.”
)

To further the implementation of the action plan, an extensive mini-grant program was
established which became the centerpieee of TSCN’s community-responsive planning and
prevention efforts. Moreover, the program proved to be an ideal mechanism for fostering
multicultural initiatives and cross-disciplinary relationships. Seventeen local agency and

community-based grantees operated programs within diverse geographic areas and

organizational settings. Designed to support “best practices” start-up and expansion efforts as
well as strengthen community-level involvement, the one-year mini-grants ranged from $5 000

to $25,000 each.

In order for solutions to be put in place for the long haul, a dynamie partnership among diverse

stakeholders must be maintained and strengthened. Currently, TSCN consists of over four dozen
participating organizations and institutions from the public and private sector, including
traditional and non-traditional partners. Although many members have been associated with

TSCN since its inception, new agencies and groups have joined since the action planning process
was completed. Membership recruitment is furthered through the combination of mini-grants,
igh-visibility activities, training programs, publicizing of community events, media coverage

and the distribution of TSCN’s bi-monthly newsletter.

In addition to the traffic safety activities implemented by the Work Groups and mini-grantees
another important achievement is role ofTSCN’ in generating networking opportunities among

an array ofcommunity leaders, key officials, agencies,jurisdictions, professionals, and other
groups. Ongoing cross-disciplinary communication, problem solving, and resource sharing

further exemplify this facilitation process.

Also, TSCN collaborates and trains together with other Safe Community projects and OTS

grantees throughout the county, state and nation. Only through multi-level federal,state, and

local government cooperation can the Safe Community initiative expect to sustain an influential
presence within large metropolitan areas.

)

Historically, public health, traffic safety, and funding groups have worked separately, and at
times, duphcitously. While it is not that unusual today to find public health staff assigned
fulltime to violence and child abuse prevention within several of California’s metropolitan
counties, it is extremely rare to find staff addressing the major cause of unintentional injury motor vehicle crashes. Yet, in less than two years, TSCN has become a viable catalyst for

advancing an inclusive coalition-building process among diverse stakeholders dedicated to

reaching a larger common audience and creating a traffic safe community.
Results

To date, TSCN achieved several important results, including:

• Promoted cooperative development of an action plan, aimed at prevention, problem
solving, and advocacy.

• Established a mini-grant program for fostering broad-based involvement and
practice capacity building in the action plan priority areas.

best

• Developed an ongoing structure and process for gaining a better understanding of
approaches, resources, and mechanisms available.

• Disseminated information, technical assistance, and resources to participants, the
community, and the media.

• Planned and implemented a countywide Stop Red Light Running Partnership Program to
)

target five high risk/volume intersections with intensive zero-tolerance enforcement and
community education activities over a five-month period.

• Initiated planning for the potential implementation of actual DUI court trials at local high
schools designed to reduce underage drinking and juvenile DUI countywide. The highvisibility project would provide a clear lesson injustice and about the serious
consequences associated with alcohol/other drug impaired driving, underage drinking

and illegal alcohol sales.

• Initiated planning for conducting a Place of Last Drink Survey(POLD)aimed at

identifying high-risk environments for drinking and driving to help public agencies and

commumty coalitions focus their prevention and intervention efforts. The POLD study
will query adjudicated DUI offenders as they enroll in first-time offender or multiple

offender classes.

• In October 1999, TSCN was nominated for the International Safe Communities

Transportation and Safety Partnership Award - a program sponsored by the United

Nations World Health Organization(WHO),NHTSA,and the 5th Annual World
Conference on Injury Prevention and Control.
Implementation Schedule
See attached.

Documentation
See attached.

8

local government cooperation can the Safe Community initiative expect to sustain an influential
presence within large metropolitan areas.

)

Historically, public health, traffic safety, and funding groups have worked separately, and at
times, duplicitously. While it is not that unusual today to find public health staff assigned
fulltime to violence and child abuse prevention within several of California’s metropolitan
counties, it is extremely rare to find staff addressing the major cause of unintentional injury —
motor vehicle crashes. Yet, in less than two years, TSCN has become a viable catalyst for
advancing an inclusive coalition-building process among diverse stakeholders dedicated to
reaching a larger common audience and creating a traffic safe community.
Results

To date, TSCN achieved several important results, including:

• Promoted cooperative development of an aetion plan, aimed at prevention, problem
solving, and advocacy.

• Established a mini-grant program for fostering broad-based involvement and
practice” capaeity building in the action plan priority areas.

best

• Developed an ongoing structure and process for gaining a better understanding of
approaches, resources, and mechanisms available.

• Disseminated information, technical assistance, and resources to participants, the
community, and the media.

• Planned and implemented a countywide Stop Red Light Running Partnership Program to
)

target five high risk/volume intersections with intensive zero-tolerance enforcement and
community education activities over a five-month period.

• Initiated planning for the potential implementation of actual DUI court trials at local high
schools designed to reduce underage drinking and juvenile DUI countywide. The highvisibility project would provide a clear lesson injustice and about the serious
consequences associated with alcohol/other drug impaired driving, underage drinkins
and illegal alcohol sales.

• Initiated planning for conducting a Place of Last Drink Survey(POLD)aimed at
identifying high-risk environments for drinking and driving to help public agencies and
community coalitions focus their prevention and intervention efforts. The POLD study
will query adjudieated DUI offenders as they emoll in first-time offender or multiple
offender classes.
• In October 1999, TSCN was nominated for the International Safe Communities

Transportation and Safety Partnership Award - a program sponsored by the United

Nations World Health Organization(WHO),NHTSA,and the 5th Annual World
Conference on Injury Prevention and Control.
Implementation Schedule
See attached.

Documentation
See attached.

8

customizing NHTSA’s Safe Community model for improving traffic safety and the quality of
community life.

)

During that initial development phase, six TSCN committees were convened to conduet

integrated assessment and planning activities. They were Steering, Assessment/Data, City
Partnerships, Community Mini-Grants, Outreach and Education, and Policy. They examined

an

array of traffic safety problems and conducted a needs assessment of “best practices” being
implemented at the time. Surveys were distributed to agencies, community-based organizations,
law enforcement, schools, hospitals, traffic engineers, and advocacy groups. The committees
analyzed the data and applied the results in order to identify priority concerns to be addressed,
including:
• Data Analysis

• Alcohol and Impaired Driving
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

• Stop Sign/Red Light Running and Aggressive Driving
• Child Passenger Safety

In January 1999, TSCN formulated its goals and objectives and developed an action plan. Five
action-oriented Work Groups replaced the original assessment and planning committees, and
they met regularly to champion the implementation ofthe action plan countywide. In addition,
members, volunteers, and Public Health staff by working together under the TSCN umbrella

nurtured community-wide involvement, diversity, and “collective intelligence.”
)

To further the implementation ofthe action plan, an extensive mini-grant program was
established which became the centerpiece of TSCN’s community-responsive planning and
prevention efforts. Moreover, the program proved to be an ideal mechanism for fostering
multicultural initiatives and cross-disciplinary relationships. Seventeen local agency and
community-based grantees operated programs within diverse geographic areas and
organizational settings. Designed to support “best practices” start-up and expansion efforts as
well as strengthen community-level involvement, the one-year mini-grants ranged from $5 000
to $25,000 each.

In order for solutions to be put in place for the long haul, a dynamic partnership among diverse

stakeholders must be maintained and strengthened. Currently, TSCN consists of over four dozen

participating organizations and institutions from the public and private sector, including

traditional and non-traditional partners. Although many members have been associated with

TSCN since its inception, new agencies and groups have joined since the action planning process
was completed. Membership recruitment is furthered through the combination of mini-grants,
high-visibility activities, training programs, publicizing of community events, media coverage,

and the distribution of TSCN’s bi-monthly newsletter.

In addition to the traffic safety activities implemented by the Work Groups and mini-grantees
another important achievement is role of TSCN’ in generating networking opportunities among

an array ofcommunity leaders, key officials, agencies,jurisdictions, professionals, and other
groups. Ongoing cross-disciplinary communication, problem solving, and resource sharing

further exemplify this facilitation process.

Also, TSCN collaborates and trains together with other Safe Community projects and OTS
grantees throughout the county, state and nation. Only through multi-level federal, state, and

May 1999- Media event to provide awareness oflocal statistics on motor

vehicle-related injuries/fatalities and the TSCN mini-grant funded projects
February 2000 - High media profiled child car seat inspection event. TSCN

)

participated with other SAFE KIDS members.

March 2000- Initiation of the Stop Red Light Running Partnership 5-month
campaign, which began with a press conference and a 3-day countywide kickoff
Methodology

Historically, traffic safety like violence prevention has had little public health sector or
community-level involvement in Santa Clara County. The project’s traffic-safety initiative based
on NHTSA’s Safe Communities model represented a first-of-its-kind effort to extend public

health, law enforcement, traffic engineering, and community plarming principles into a relatively
new prevention arena.

The county’s sprawling traffic injury problems were recognized as too large, too complex, and
resources too limited for any one agency,jurisdiction, sector, or group to solve alone. The full
diversity of stakeholders and perspectives were included in developing TSCN’s multi-faceted
approach for positioning and addressing traffic safety within the context of the entire violence
and intentional/unintentional injury prevention effort.

)

Derived from the “best practices” partnership model NHTSA,the TSCN methodology promotes
a “bottom up” collaborative process for reducing, preventing, and controlling traffic-related
fatalities, injuries and economic costs. The first year of project operation was dedicated to
reviewing available data and surveying multiple jurisdictions and communities. Several key
environmental influences were considered: physical, cultural and socio-economic factors;

individual and group behavior; public policy; technology; and, professional roles. During Phase
I, the following six primary problem/gap areas were identified:
• Fragmented injury data collection and analysis

• Absence of an integrated and comprehensive injury control system
• Planning and service delivery gaps, as well as duplication of efforts
• An underdeveloped constituency for supporting the ongoing implementation of“best
practices” and “spectrum of prevention” activities, including community-based
organizations serving and representing the county’s diverse multicultural sectors

• Lack of a collaborative infrastructure for resource pooling, cross-disciplinary training,
information sharing, action planning, marketing, advocacy, and energizing linkages
among diverse agencies,jurisdictions, communities,funders, and organizational sectors
• Policy development, evaluation, and funding limitations

After assessing community assets/gap areas and ensuring that the complete scope and magnitude
ofthe problem was defined, the TSCN Steering Committee developed a Phase II data-driven
action plan that recommended priority countermeasure and prevention interventions.
TSCN’s core leadership includes representatives from the “Six E’s of Traffic Safety”engineering, enforcement, education, emergency medical services, economic analysis, and
evaluation. Co-chaired by County Supervisor James T. Beall and Public Health Officer Martin

Fenstersheib, MD,the focus of the project during both phases was directed towards adopting and
6

Also,from September 1998 to April 1999, TSCN worked closely with Alexian
Brothers Hospital and the Alcohol Beverage Control(ABC)in the planning,
development, and implementation of the successful “Every 15 Minutes” program

)

at high schools in Santa Clara County.
9.

To promote interest of the project through a calendar of Traffic Safety
Awareness activities and a newsletter to city and county participants and
partners, bi-monthly beginning in November 1998.

TSCN calendar of events were produced and distributed monthly at meetings and
via mail since April 1998. Although developments of the TSCN Newsletter
began in November 1998, the Steering Committee voted to postpone
dissemination until the Action Plan was completed. However, due to technical
difficulties (delayed delivery of the publishing software), the newsletter was not

completed and mailed until mid-April 1999, along with monthly event calendars.
The bi-monthly newsletters contained information on projects funded by TSCN
mini-grants, events and conferences, recent traffic safety information, and
Network updates. Topics included the Stop Red Light Running countywide
program, pedestrian safety, and the “youthquake”.
10.

To evaluate the project impact by establishing surveillance systems and
reporting on the project activities on a quarterly basis,(January, 1998
through December, 1999).

Minutes from each committee, work group, steering, and full Network meetings

)

were taken since the development ofthe coalition to document discussions,

events, and activities. Summaries ofthese minutes were reported at the quarterly
full Network meetings. A quarterly synopsis describing the status of the TSCN
committees/work groups have also been distributed to members at the full
Network meetings.

Mainly using SWITRS data, the Data Management and Statistics Unit of the SCC
Public Health Department provided TSCN with the most recent data available to

monitor the traffic-related occurrences in the county.

Written reports on TSCN’s progress were submitted to OTS on a quarterly basis.
11.

To fax OTS (916-262-2960) at least two weeks in advance, a short description
of any new traffic safety event or program. Address the fax to the Public

Information Officer and the OTS Program Coordinator(Dana Lidster).

Throughout the grant period, TSCN has participated or initiated the following
media events and/or programs:

■

May 1998 - Buckle Up America! Week Seatbelt Checkpoints

■

August 1998 -“Traffic Safety Day” with the San Jose Clash Soccer Team

■

December 1998 -“Lights On For Life” Campaign
5

6.

To award community mini-grant funds to recipients by December 31,1998.

Upon completion of the formalized Service Agreement contracts with the Santa
Clara County Public Health Department, the community mini-grant recipients

received reimbursement for their projects as the Department’s Finance Unit

processed their invoices. A total of$251,552 was budgeted for mini-grantees
during the project.
7.

To promote the spread of the Best Practice activities through meetings and
other communications,leading to the upgrading of model Safe Community
programs in individual cities by December 31,1999.

In April 1998 and in September 1999, TSCN hosted two Safe Communities
Workshops, presented by NHTSA Region IX staff. The focus of the workshops
included best practice guidelines, and useful tools and approaches for program
management, assessment, and evaluation.

Throughout the grant period, the Best Practices for a Safe Community booklet
from NHTSA was used as an educational tool for outreach. During the planning

phase, NHTSA’s best practices were discussed at committee and full Network
meetings to help prioritize feasible traffic safety activities for the coalition. In
addition, NHTSA’s guidelines served as the basis for the best practice assessment
of Santa Clara County’s current traffic safety activities in July 1998.
Subsequently, TSCN tailored Best Practices to fit the needs of SCC,as formulated
in the TSCN Action Plan in December 1998.

)
Both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and the Child Passenger Safety Work
Groups researched recent best practices in these traffic safety areas and
incorporated them into surveys designed to determine what agencies, schools, and
government departments were implementing best practice projects.
Presentations on TSCN best practices and NHTSA’s Safe Communities model
were made to the City Managers Association and the SCC Police Chiefs.
8.

To coordinate with other OTS grants in Santa Clara County to maximize the
impact and spread of the activity in Santa Clara County,from March 1998
through December 1999.

Throughout the grant cycle, TSCN staff have been in regular contact with Debbie
Loomis at the San Diego Safe Communities 2000 project. Discussions involved
countywide planning, outreach, project activities, and request for
applications/grant information.
In addition, TSCN staff maintained regular contact with Ann Horton and Mozell
Zarit from the Department of Health Services EPIC/Safe Communities Project.
DHS continues to be a tremendous support to TSCN by providing materials and
information. DHS also facilitated the monthly Safe Communities telephone
conference calls, which provided an effective way to learn about other traffic
safety projects and discuss common barriers/opportunities in program planning
and implementation.
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During the first year, six TSCN committees were formed to conduct master

planning: Steering, Assessment/Data, City Partnerships, Community Mini-

Grants, Outreach and Education, and Policy. Committees were responsible for
identifying priority areas, developing partnerships among agencies and
community groups, and creating a strategic plan to reduce traffic safety

)

problems within the county.

Examining traffic safety problems ranging from child passenger safety to

aggressive driving, TSCN conducted a needs assessment of “best practices”
being implemented in the county at the time. The TSCN committees used the
results to identify intervention priorities. In January 1999,the TSCN entered
into a multi-year implementation phase. With the completion of the coalition’s
strategic planning, the original committees were replaced by action-oriented

Work Groups based on the priorities ofthe Network: Data Analysis, Alcohol
and Impaired Driving, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, Red Light/Stop Sign
Running, and Child Passenger Safety.

With the help ofthe SCC District Attorney’s Office, the Red Sign Running
Work Group consisting of law enforcement and traffic engineers, participated in
a “first ever” meeting with traffic commissioners in March 2000. The focus was
to inform the traffic commissioners about the upcoming Stop Red Light

Running Partnership Program and the use of red light indicators (rat boxes,)to
enhance enforcement. Both the traffic judges and members of the Red Light

Running Work Group recognized the need and benefit for continued meetings
among these agencies.

)

4.

To develop an Action Plan for promoting Traffic Safe Community objectives
during the following year in Santa Clara County/Cities, by December 31,
1998.

Using results ofthe best practices needs assessment, the planning committees
formulated goals, objectives, and action plans by the end of 1998. During the
implementation phase and the creation of the work groups in 1999, additional
objectives and goals were added to the action plan, based on feasible priorities.
5.

To develop a community mini-grant program to disseminate funding to cities
for traffic safety activities by September 30,1998.

Request for applications for TSCN community mini-grants were disseminated to
over 400 agencies in the county in September 1998. Reviewers of the submitted
grant proposals represented the California Department of Health Services, Contra
Costa County, NHTSA,and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
On December 4, 1998, twelve (12) grants were awarded to organizations
representing communities throughout the county. Grant awards ranged from
$5,000 to $25,000.

With the assistance of Jack Champlin from NHTSA Region IX and Dana Lidster
from OTS, the TSCN was awarded a budget augmentation to allow the Network
to fund an additional five(5)applicants in March 1999. Pre-operational meetings
were held for all grant recipients to inform them about OTS grant procedures and
requirements and to begin processing Service Agreements.
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Data unavailable at this time.

Objectives:

1

1.

To complete a comprehensive injury assessment of motor vehicle and other
unintentional injuries in the Santa Clara County/Cities area by April 30,
1998.

The Santa Clara County(SCC)Data Management and Statistics Unit

developed a draft of preliminary statistics of motor vehicle and other
unintentional injuries by March 1998 using SWITRS 1996, along with
mortality and hospital discharge databases from the Public Health
Department. After the receipt ofthe 1996-97 SWITRS databases from CHP

in June 1998, Data Management and Statistics decoded SWITRS databases
by September 1998. Hence,this allowed the unit greater access to stratifying

requested data for SCC by several traffic areas. In addition, the unit attained
figures on traffic safety practices of high school and middle school students
with the development of the Public Health Department’s countywide. Youth
Risk Behavioral Survey - 1999(YRBS). Information included teenage
alcohol consumption and driving, and bicycle/motorcycle helmet use.
Due to the lag in data collection and entry into several county and state
databases, TSCN has been unable to receive statistics on a timely manner.
However,the Data Management and Statistics Unit continues to provide
TSCN with the most updated statistics available on traffic issues and
unintentional injuries on an as needed basis. Furthermore, the Data
Assessment Work Group identified the need for a comprehensive injury
surveillance oftraffic issues countywide. Hence, a survey was developed to
determine methods and software used in each city for traffic data collection,

mapping, and analysis. Surveys were distributed to all law enforcement and
traffic engineering departments. The Work Group aims to standardize
protocols for traffic safety data management and mapping systems,
including citations and collision databases.
2.

To complete a Safe Community best practices assessment for each of the
Santa Clara County cities in the project and the unincorporated county area
by April 30,1998.

Due to the delayed hiring of TSCN staff(February 1998), the Safe Communities
best practices countywide assessment was not completed until July 1998. Dr.
Daniel Perales, Associate Professor at San Jose State University, was contracted

by TSCN to develop the survey tool and analyze the results. The survey
identified gaps in current best practice activities among several agencies: law
enforcement, traffic engineering, and community, health, school, and safety
organizations.
3.

To convene a Countywide Traffic Safe Community Network; establish ad
hoc city task forces as needed, beginning in November 1997, on-going
periodically throughout the grant period.

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y

PROJECT FINAL REPORT
No. SA9805

Traffic Safety Communities Network in Santa Clara County
May 31,2000

)

Credits and Disclaimer

The Traffic Safe Communities Network(TSCN)in Santa Clara County is a coalition coordinated
through the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System/Public Health Department. This
project is a part of the California Traffic Safety Program and was made possible through the
support the State of California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those
ofthe authors and not necessarily those ofthe State of California or the National Highway and
Safety Administration.
Project Personnel

The (1.0 FTE)Program Coordinator managed the day-to-day operations of the collaborative,
including supervision of staff and consultants, maintaining and strengthening the membership
base, coordinating planning and evaluation, problem-solving/conflict resolution, leadership and
resource development, marketing/media advocacy, monitoring action plans, establishing mini
grants, developing partnerships, and preparing special studies and issuing findings. Also, the
coordinator administered budgets, negotiated contract agreements, submitted quarterly reports to
OTS,represented the project at meetings and public events, and maintained liaison with
stakeholders and other Safe Communities sites and OTS grantees.

)
The Health Education Associate (0.5FTE) was responsible for staffing the action work groups,
coordinating meetings, facilitating group process, assisting in needs assessment and survey
research, community outreach, developing the TSCN Newsletter and other public information
materials, and providing technical assistance.

The Advanced Clerk Typist(0.5 FTE)provided support for various assignments required for the
efficient management of the project, including the scheduling of meetings and community
activities, taking and typing meeting minutes, ordering supplies and materials, record-keeping,
updating databases, assisting with special event coordination, and preparing and sending out
mailings, newsletters and other correspondence.
Goals and Objectives
Goals:
1.

To reduce Santa Clara County traffic related fatalities and injuries as a
portion of the county’s total fatalities and injuries (eg. falls, burns, violence)
0.5% from the calendar 1998 base year total to be determined.
Data unavailable at this time.

2.

To reduce Santa Clara County traffic related fatalities and injuries 5% from
the calendar 1996 base year total of 12,502 to 11,877 by December 31,1999.
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