Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System

Traffic Safe Communities Network(TSCN)
In Santa Clara County

Traffic Safe Communities Network
)

Countywide Services and Coordination
Project Number AL0632

Quarterly Performance Report -IV
July - September 2006

Submitted October 26,2006
by
Alma Burrell

TSCN Program Manager

4. To decrease the number ofpersons injured in alcohol-involved collisions 11% from the year 2003 total of
1,032 to 929 by December 31,2007.

To reduce Had Been Drinking(HBD)drivers under age 35 in fatal and injury collisions by 11% from the year
2003 total of336 to 302 by December 31,2007.

6, To increase seat belt compliance among teens at high schools 3 percentage points from the March calendar
year 2004 base rate of87% to 90% by December 31,2007.

7. To reduce the number ofinjuries in red light running collision by 11% from the 2003 base year of666 to 599
by December 31,2007.

8. To reduce the number ofinjuries in speed related collisions by 11% from the 2003 base year 2788 to 2 509
by December 31,2007.

Objectives:

1. To provide ongoing countywide coordination,technical assistance,facilitation, and community advocacy of
traffic safety related issues by building productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, agencies,
systems,policymakers,jurisdictions, community groups and local OTS grantees by September 30,2007,
This will be accomplished through Full Network,Steering Committee, and Workgroup meetings as well as
participation in and support ofselected community based traffic safety projects(Le,, Operation Safe
Passage,Every 15 Minutes, etc,)

)10/01/05-12/30/05

The TSGN Full Network and Steering Committees met in October 2005. The Roadway Safety Workgroup
met in October, November and December 2005, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Workgroup and its
sub-committee met 7 times during the quarter. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Workgroup is developing
educational materials in English and Spanish to support Operation Safe Passage(OSP)and is developing a
plan for distribution during the spring 2006. The Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup and its sub
committee met 5 times this quarter. TSCN staff will represent the Alcohol & Impaired Driving Workgroup at
San Jose State University’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Committee(ADAPC)quarterly meetings
(see attached SJSU nomination letter). TSCN will participate and support the Social Norms Campaign at San
Jose State University during the spring and fall 2006.

1/01/06-3/31/06

The TSCN Full Network and Steering Committee met in February 2006. The Roadway Safety, Alcohol and
Impaired Driving Workgroups, and Bicycle and Pedestrian workgroups continued to meet on a monthly basis.
A subcommittee ofRoadway Safety Workgroup was established and met once to discuss a media campaign
that will coincide with Red Light Running enforcement. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Workgroup and its
ad hoc committees met nine times during the quarter to facilitate countywide planning for the following:
development and distribution ofOperation Safe Passage educational materials, implementation ofa Juvenile
Traffic Diversion Program fimded through the California Kids’ Plate Program, design and implementation of
the “Drive Your Bike” Traffic Safety Education Program, future Walk/Bike to School Day and helmet
distribution events. Activities included representatives from schools, law enforcement, healthcare,
transportation, and the community. See the attached agendas and minutes.
Staff continues to represent TSCN at San Jose State University’s Alcohol and Dme Abuse Preventinn

Committee(ADAPC)meetings which have changed from a quarterly to monthly meeting.

2. To expand and strengthen the TSCN’s “DUI Court in the Schools”program by conducting at least8
schoolDUItrials by June 15, 2006, and an additional 8 school DUItrials by September 30, 2007
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Alcohol & Impaired Driving Workgroup conducted a DUI trial at San Jose State University on October
17,2005 (see attached DUI trial materials). Approximately 150 Justice Studies students attended the 3-hour
event. Thejudge found the defendant guilty on both DUI counts. Sentencing was deferred to a later date in

the courthouse. Pre/Post evaluations, student mock juror, and faculty feedback were collected (see attached
results). The University’s newspaper, the Spartan Daily, published an article about the proceedings. TSCN

staffcontinues to correspond with the Public Defenders Office to recruit defendants for the program.
1/01/06-3/31/06

TSCN staff met with the Public Defenders Office to discuss the possibility ofdeveloping a pre/post trial inclass discussion guide. Currently, no classroom curriculum exits to support the trial. Additional work on this

objective has been deferred until the vacant position is filled.
4/1/06-6/30/06

TSCN staff continued its work with the Prosecutor’s Office to identify defendants to participate in the DUI
Court in the Schools project.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

During the quarter, TSCN Staff has worked with Supervisor Jim Beall’s staff and San Jose Unified School

District’s Board member to select a high school for the “DUI Court in the Schools.” It has been through these
efforts that the Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup will conduct a “DUI Court in the School” project on
October 27,2006, at Lincoln High School in San Jose. For the greater part ofthe 2005-2006 school year the
coordinator position was vacant, which did not allow TSCN staff the opportunity to meet the goal of eight

“DUI Court in the School” trials. Lincoln will be our first trial for the current school year. We will make

every effort to increase the number of trials this school year; the prosecutor’s office has informed us that we

can expect to have four to five additional defendants for the remainder ofthe school year.
3.

To coordinate “DUIpanelpresentations” involving the participation oflaw enforcement agencies, health
practitioners, crash survivors, attorneys, and community-based organizations as educationalpresenters
and resource specialist atfour(4)local area high schools by September 30, 2007.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup is developing an educational plan for conducting the DUI
panel presentations at area high schools and universities for fall 2006. The panel will include a victim, law
enforcement, and college student.
1/01/06-3/31/06

Work on this objective has been deferred until the vacant Health Education Specialist position is filled.
4/1/06-6/30/06

No progress to report at this time.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

The Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup Subcommittee contacted schools that participated last year in
the “Every 15 Minutes” program to conduct follow-up panel presentations at these schools. The current panel
will consist oflaw enforcement, crash survivor and parent, district attorney, and drug therapy counselor. The
subcommittee has selected dates in November and December and has confirmed participation of panel
participants.

5

7/1/06 -9/30/06

The Spanish translation ofthe “Underage Drinking and Driving - A Parent and Teen Guide” booklet is
complete and has been distributed to schools and various agencies. The Vietnamese translation continues to

l"

be reviewed. Booklets were distributed to Campbell High School District. Booklets for Santa Clara High
School District, Willow Glen and Pioneer High Schools will be distributed this fall. TSCN continues to fill

requests from police departments, probation department, and the District Attorney’s office. The Department
of Motor Vehicle offices were given the booklets for distribution to parents who sign for their child’s driving
permit.

The Guides are posted on TSCN’s web site, www.sccphd.org/traffic. and Stanford Hospital’s web site,
http://www.stanfordhospital.com/PDF/TSCNParentTeenGuideUnderageDrinkingDriving.pdf

6. To coordinate a “High School Seat Belt Challenge” campaign countywide involving at least 16 local area
high schools by September 30, 2007.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Alcohol & Impaired Driving Workgroup held several meetings with the California Highway Patrol and
local Police Departments to discuss plans for implementing the “High School Seat Belt Challenge
Countywide.” An outreach packet was mailed to 50 Santa Clara County high schools to solicit interest and
participation in the campaign. Seven schools responded to the survey. Additional schools will be recruited
through school resource officers.
1/1/06-3/31/06

Thirteen schools participated in the Seatbelt Challenge which ran between February 6 and March 17. Seatbelt
compliance rates increased in all but one school. TSCN had established a goal of 16 schools to recruit for this

year’s campaign. We were on target to meet our goal but several schools withdrew from the project within
)

two weeks of the launching the Challenge and there was not adequate time to recruit new sites. Schools cited

lack oftime and staffturnover as barriers to participation. The structure of the campaign was also changed
from the previous year. Based on feedback from last year’s program evaluations, TSCN reduced the number
of seatbelt observations from four to three. This would put less demand on the students and school staff The
third observations are due by the end of June.

OTS gave approval to use grant funds for cash awards for the three schools that have the highest overall
seatbelt compliance rate as determined by the observations. Additionally, the school that demonstrates the
greatest improvement in seatbelt compliance from the first to second observation will win a cash award. At
the end of the second observation we had a tie for third place and TSCN staff determined that a second school

should be awarded an honorable mention prize for their efforts in increasing seatbelt use among its students.
OTS granted permission to use remaining funds from the Cost Incentive budget for cash awards for the third

place tie and the school receiving honorable mention. An attachment with the outcomes from campaign is
attached. See also the OTS cash approval award letters. Milpitas High School promoted the Challenge in their
local newspaper and school website. See attachments for the media articles.
4/1/06-6/30/06

The third and final seatbelt observation was conducted in June and the data were tabulated. The overall results

indicated that 92.3% of students were wearing their seatbelt, a slight increase from the previous year’s 91.9%.
The attached 2006 Campaign Results provide a highlight each school’s compliance rates. Additional survey

instruments were distributed to the schools to obtain feedback from leadership students, school staff, and the
general student population on the success of the program. The feedback from students and school staff will

help us refine next year’s program. A recurring suggestion from students is that their peers who do not wear
seatbelts by the end of the program should receive a citation. Certificates of appreciation were given to the
leadership students at each^choot who assisted with implementation ofthe progranr^see the sample attached).
7

9. To expand the supportfor the DUI Corridor project by printing and distributing 500DUIposters to
colleges and universities in Santa Clara County by September 30, 2006, and to print and distribute

an

additional DUIposter design by September 30, 2007.

)

10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup is collaborating with San Jose State University(SJSU)in
developing DUI posters for SJSU Social Norms Campaign. Two DUI messages have been selected;
1. If you had a beer, choose not to steer.

2. The party is a lot more fun when you remember it.

Data collected during the spring 2005 regarding San Jose State University students’ alcohol use will be
included in the DUI posters along with the above messages.
1/01/06-3/31/06

Input from members ofthe Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup and focus testing with SJSU students
helped fine-tuning the social norms messages included on the posters. The posters have gone to print and
costs will be covered by CHP. TSCN will use its grant funds for printing additional posters next year.
4/1/06-6/30/06

SJSU printed 1,000 posters with funding from CHP. TSCN staff meet with SJSU representatives to develop a
plan for strategically distributing the posters around the campus and to nearby business establishments that

are

frequented by SJSU students.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

Posters were distributed across campus and nearby local businesses frequented by students. Effectiveness will
be evaluated by randomly surveying students throughout the campus. The survey will ask students if the have
seen the posters, what did they think ofthem and can they recall any data printed on the posters,

k To arrange two events and evaluate the use oftwo differentprofessional speakers on drinking and driving
at local high schools by September 30, 2007.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

San Jose State University has scheduled a professional speaker on-campus in March 2005 to discuss the
consequences of drinking and driving.
1/1/06-3/31/06

Members from the Alcohol and Impaired Driving Workgroup attended the presentation given by Mark Sterner
at San Jose State University(SJSU). Mr. Sterner shares his personal account of being the driver in a DUIrelated crash during Spring Break and killing three out of the four passengers in the car. The presentation was

scheduled through SJSU’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse prevention Committee and funding was provided by the
CHP CAMPUS grant. It was required that all Greek sororities and fraternities attend. The presentation
held in March and will be discussed at the April Workgroup meeting. See the attached flyer.
was

4/1/06-6/30/06

No progress to report at this time.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

No progress to report at this time.

11. To develop a pre/post DUI trail in-class discussion guide based on the DUI Court in the Schools for use

in two college classrooms by September 30,2007. develop, duplicate, andcv^aluatc the use ofDVD and
discussion guides based on the DUI Court in the-Schoolsfor use in two(2) college classrooms by September
9

7/1/06-9/30/06

TSCN supported the successful Kids Plate grant application submitted by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
(SVBC)to provide the traffic safety education for middle schools in Santa Clara County on an ongoing basis.

f I The Bicycle and Pedestrian Work Group will work with SVBC for the first 2-4 classes and plans to compete
transition of the “Drive Your Bike” program administration and instruction to SVBC by June 30, 2007.

13. To pay law enforcement overtimefor enforcement at approximately 100 intersections where red light
enforcement indicator lights or rat boxes have been previously installed by September 30, 2007
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Roadway Safety Workgroup began collecting information on regular and overtime pay rates from the
participating cities in order to finalize a budget for the enforcement campaign.
1/1/06-3/31/06

This objective has been deferred until the third quarter.
4/1/06-6/30/06

During this quarter, TSCN has confirmed participation of 13 law enforcement agencies during August’s
STOP Red Light Running Campaign. Each participating city has identified intersections that have previously
had “rat boxes” installed. Several ofthose locations will be used as enforcement sites during National Stop on
Red Week, August 6-12. TSCN is currently assessing which ofthe participating agencies will need assistance

paying overtime for its officers during that week. For a list of participating law enforcement agencies and

intersections which will monitored with increased enforcement see the attachment, TSCN Red Light Punning
Enforcement Campaign.
7/1/06-9/30/06

) Of the 13 law enforcement agencies who agreed to participate in the Stop on Red Week,one(CHP)dropped-

out ofthe project citing that they were short on manpower. Nine ofthe 12 agencies remaining requested
assistance with overtime pay. Service Agreements between TSCN and each ofthe participating agencies are

included as attachments. By the end of September invoices from ail agencies were submitted to Public Health

for payment. In total, officers patrolled 46 intersections (all outfitted with rat boxes) during the campaign
which ran August 6-12. The timeframe was chosen by the workgroup because it coincided with the National

Stop on Red Week. Officers did not patrol 100 intersections as set forth in the objective because they felt that
due to limited manpower at many ofthe agencies, they would not be able to cover more than four
intersections during the week.
At the completion of the week’s activities, 344 red light violation citations were issued. A breakdown of

citations by city is provided in the attachments. Due to the increased law enforcement efforts, a patrol officer
from the Sheriffs Office stopped a motorist for a red light violation and subsequently arrested the person for
possession and intent to sell ecstasy.

14. To purchase thirty(30)solar powered vehicle speedfeedback signsfor use in school zones and other
roadways through out the 15 cities and unincorporated areas ofthe county by March 30, 2006.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Roadway Safety Workgroup invited speed feedback sign vendors to demonstrate their signs at a
workgroup meeting in October 2005. Five vendors provided demonstrations. In December 2005, the
workgroup developed a specification for the sign to be submitted to Purchasing. A copy of the draft

specification is attached. The City of Santa Clara shared an evaluation by its Engineering Department on pole
requirements to hold speed signs.
j

11

press conference regarding intersection safety including speeding and red light running by September 30,
2007. Plansfor public information campaign will cover increased enforcement as well as community
education and outreach, with the support ofTSCN’s engineering partners.
f ) 10/01/05-12/30/05
The Roadway Safety Workgroup began recruitment of a sub-committee to develop plans for an information
and enforcement campaign.
1/1/06-3/31/06

A subcommittee of the Roadway Safety Workgroup was formed and input from additional individuals such
the communication officers for the City of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara County Public Health and a
representative from the San Jose Department of Transportation was solicited. The group met in February to

as

discuss developing a public information campaign to coincide with increased red light running enforcement

that will occur during the Stop on Red Week in August. The outcome from the subcommittee was discussed at

the larger Roadway Safety meeting in March. See the attached agenda and minutes from the February

subcommittee meeting.
4/1/06-6/30/06

The enforcement component(discussed in objective 13) will coincide with the public awareness campaign
which will run the month of August. The campaign will include radio PSAs and press coverage. Efforts will
be made to run stories in the local community newspapers as well as large circulation papers and the
television media. The Public Health Department will be providing funding to support the public
awareness

efforts. Funds will allow TSCN to purchase airtime for PSAs placement on local radio stations.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

Media coverage for the Stop on Red Week Campaign included 6 newspapers, 3 radio stations, and 4 television
. stations. Additional coverage included discussion ofred light running on the San Jose Mercury News blog,
three brief articles in the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System email update (Infomail), a message
on the county pay stubs(reach is 3,000 people), and 227 runs of 10-second radio PSAs which played on at

least six San Jose based radio stations. Media coverage included information about the dangers of violating

red lights, how rat boxes are used to identify violators, and locations ofincreased enforcement. Law

enforcement officers and a county engineer(who is also chair ofthe workgroup responsible for the project)
were spokespeople for the campaign. Copies of the media coverage are included as attachments.

Law enforcement representatives and county Roads and Airports representatives felt the one week campaign

was so successful that they would like to see it extended in the future to one month. This would also allow for

a greater number of intersections to be patrolled.

17. To conduct a needs assessment throughout the county to identify solar speedfeedback sign site needs bv
December 31, 2005.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

The Roadway Safety Workgroup developed a site evaluation worksheet to evaluate potential installation sites

and needs for each sites. Participating cities began completion of the worksheet. See attached sample
worksheet.

1/1//06-3/31/06

Each city completed its own needs assessment for selection of the sites. The selected locations were entered

into the Vehicle Speed Feedback Signs List of Locations by City worksheet. See attachment for objective 15.
This objective has been met.

13

*-

21. To use thefollowing standard language in allpress, media, and printed materials: “Fundingfor this
program wasprovided by a grantfrom the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.”

) 10/01/05 -12/30/05

Standard language is included in press releases, TSCN letterhead, DUI Court in the Schools materials, and
meeting announcements.
01/01/06-03/31/06

Standard language is included in TSCN letterhead, DUT Court in the Schools materials. High School Seatbelt
Challenge materials, and meeting announcements.
4/1/06-6/30/06

Standard language is included in TSCN letterhead. High School Seatbelt Challenge materials, meeting
announcements, printed material and electronic presentation material.
7/1/06 -9/30/06

Standard language is included on TSCN press releases, electronic presentation material, meeting
announcements, and printed material. Attached is a sample of a press release on TSCN letterhead with
standard language.

22. To e-mail the OTS Public Information Officer at pio(a)ots.ca.eov and OTS Regional Coordinator at least
one month in advance, a short description ofany new traffic safety event or program.
10/01/05 -12/30/05

Press release for the DUI Trial at San Jose State University was sent via email to Regional Coordinator and
OTS Public Information Officer(PIO)for advance approval. Press release was also sent to the PIOs for the
)

County Public Health Department and Superior Court for review,feedback, and approval.
1/1/06-3/31/06

There are no activities to report this quarter.
4/1/06-6/30/06

No activities to report this quarter.
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

A short description of the Stop on Red Campaign was emailed to the regional coordinator in July with a
description of the activities that were to occur in August. The description was coupled with the draft press
release and public service announcements that were sent for approval.
Other Activities:
10/01/05-12/30/05

,<r

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Workgroup, with ftmding from the California Kids’ Plate program,held its
first juvenile traffic diversion class for youth, and their parents, cited for non-motor vehicle offenses,
including helmet violations. The first class was held on December 12, 2005 and feedback obtained from

participants was positive. Six cities in Santa Clara County are offering class for youth in lieu of fine for
citations as part of this pilot project.
1/1/06-3/31/06

In conjunction with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Workgroup and the Roadway Safety Workgroup, TSCN staff
assisted in the development oftwo OTS grant applications: 1) the Countywide Juvenile Traffic Diversion

Program and Traffic Safety Education^Resource Projectand 2^lhe Countywide
15

;
Attachments for Quarterly Progress Report
7/1/06 - 9/30/06

)
Objective 1

Agendas and Minutes from the following:
•

TSCN Full Network

• TSCN Steering Committee
• Roadway Safety Workgroup
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Workgroup
• Alcohol & Impaired Driving Workgroup
Acknowledgements Page from Walk to School Week Planning Committee
Objective 5

Underage Drinking and Driving - A Parent and Teen Guide (Spanish)

Objective 6

Interest Survey

Objective 12

Drive Your Bike Curriculum (draft)

Objective 13

Stop on Red Week Citation Data

Service Agreements between law enforcement and Santa Clara County Public
Health Department

Objective 16

List of Media Coverage
Copies of Newsprint Coverage
Infomail Articles

Pay stub Message
Objective 19

Email correspondence between OTS and TSCN

Objective 21

Stop on Red Week Press Release

17