2017 Annual Meeting

1. How and why local health departments can lead or support traffic safety efforts at the local, state and national level.

2. What are measures of progress, success and challenge in local and state traffic related efforts.

3. How did Public Health-Seattle & King County, Washington establish itself as the convener of the locally lead traffic safety coalition and what lessons were learned that will inform the attendee and future work.

This presentation describes the work of the Public-Health Seattle & King County led King County Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force.  While it is unusual for a local health department to lead efforts this model is important for local, state and national efforts. This public health convener role is key to "Strengthening Connections for Injury and Violence Prevention". This presentation will include work such as results based patrols; policy work at all levels; study and reductions of bicycle and pedestrian related trauma; use of child death review to address traffic deaths and other work towards Target Zero.

The King County Traffic Safety Task Force was established in 1997. At present over 30 law enforcement and other interested entities participate locally as part of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission's Target Zero system.  Using best and innovative practices the Task Force and Washington State are continually striving towards zero fatalities by 2030.  Activities include conducting meetings, involvement in policy to reduce speed limits, requiring bike helmets for all ages, improving young driver requirements and DUI and distracted driving prevention.  It includes working on specific roadways where deaths and serious injury occurs.

Numerous public safety and public health entities are deeply involved in local and state traffic safety efforts through the Task Force and statewide system.  Traffic deaths in Seattle-King County had previously decreased at a rate faster than national and state rates. However recent traffic death increases nationally, statewide and locally have implications that need discussion and interventions for newer confounders such as marijuana legalization, increased driver distraction, increased alcohol access and overlap with traffic suicide.

This two decades of work shows the importance of local health departments either leading or supporting traffic safety related efforts in their communities.  It indicates the importance of local to state to national traffic safety efforts if we are to have success in reducing the burden of traffic injury.  This work has led to studies, documented behavioral and other changes that leads to dynamic practice changes locally and for others seeking information in the rest of our state and others in the U.S.