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Your Monthly Update
September 2023
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OTS, Caltrans Launch “Safety is Sharing. Safety is Caring.” Media Campaign to Promote Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety | |
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As California and the country continue to experience increased bicycle and pedestrian deaths, the OTS and Caltrans released a new “Safety is Sharing. Safety is Caring.” public awareness campaign earlier this month. The statewide campaign was announced at a news conference Sept. 12 in Long Beach, and is a collaborative active transportation safety effort with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the city of Long Beach.
By focusing on education, awareness, and collaborative efforts, the campaign seeks to create a safer environment for everyone who uses California's roadways. The “Safety is Sharing. Safety is Caring.” campaign features a new video in English and Spanish on digital platforms, audio messages on radio and streaming services, and digital billboards. Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, the highest number since 1981. In California, pedestrian and bicycle deaths account for nearly 29% of all traffic deaths.
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CHP ‘Rolls’ Out Statewide Safety Training Program for Electric Bicycles | |
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As the popularity of electric bikes (e-bike) continues to gain traction, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) rolled out an online e-bike safety and training program Sept. 1 to help keep commuters and recreational cyclists safe. The e-bike safety and training program is designed to help riders of all abilities and ages. The training features tutorials, videos, a knowledge test, and other interactive elements to help make the material engaging and informative.
According to preliminary data from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were more than 9,600 bicycle-involved crashes in 2022. At least 225 of those crashes involved an e-bike, including four people who were killed. This reflects a significant increase from the previous year when there were 80 e-bike crashes reported in California.
Assembly Bill 1946, which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and took effect on January 1, 2023, required the CHP to work with relevant traffic safety stakeholders, including the Office of Traffic Safety, to develop an online training program that offers information on e-bike safety, emergency maneuver skills, rules of the road, and laws related to e-bikes.
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OTS, AAA Host California Traffic Safety Summit | |
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The OTS and AAA are teaming up to collaborate with other traffic safety stakeholders on how to address the ongoing roadway safety crisis, and the future of traffic safety. Join highway safety, public health, law enforcement and business leaders Nov. 7-8 in Orange County for the California Traffic Safety Summit.
The summit theme, “Responding to the Crisis Together: Prioritizing Safety and Equitable Outcomes,” affirms the importance of prioritizing safety initiatives and engaging and involving communities in implementing proven and innovative solutions for preventing crashes. Workshops will focus on vulnerable road users, impaired driving, equity in transportation safety, and other traffic safety priorities.
To register and learn more about the California Traffic Safety Summit, visit the registration page. To secure a room at the Hyatt Regency Orange County, visit the event website. The deadline to book rooms is Friday, Oct. 20.
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NHTSA Proposes Seat Belt Warning System Expansion to Encourage Drivers and Passengers to Buckle Up | |
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a proposed rule that would require seat belt warning systems for front passenger and rear seats. If implemented, the rule is estimated to prevent approximately 300 non-fatal injuries and over 100 deaths annually. The rule would apply to passenger cars, trucks, most buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or less.
While seat belt use is much higher than a decade ago, almost 43,000 people were killed on America’s roads in 2021, and half of the drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seat belts. NHTSA’s proposed rule would implement new requirements for front and rear seats, where NHTSA says there is room for improvement. This proposed rule seeks to establish industry-wide consistency to improve seat belt use and save lives.
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AAA Foundation: The Lifesaving Potential of Driving Assistance Tech | |
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New research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that available advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technologies could prevent approximately 37 million crashes, 14 million injuries, and nearly 250,000 deaths over the next 30 years. This would represent 16% of crashes and injuries and 22% of deaths that would otherwise occur on U.S. roads without these technologies.
ADAS are the eyes and ears of your car. They use sensors and cameras to detect potential hazards, warn drivers, and can take corrective action automatically. These safety systems are common on new vehicles, and they have the potential to save lives by preventing crashes.
The Foundation’s research reinforces the importance of the Safe System Approach (SSA). It’s a holistic approach to traffic safety that focuses on adding layers of protection so that when crashes do happen, they are not deadly and less severe.
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U.S. DOT Announces Next Phase of Thriving Communities Grant Program to Help More Communities Unlock Access to Historic Infrastructure Investments | |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing up to $22 million in grants through the Thriving Communities Program (TCP). The program provides local, Tribal and territorial governments better access to federal funding for projects in their communities.
The TCP helps under-resourced and disadvantaged communities identify, develop and deliver transportation and community revitalization projects. Those communities receive support to prepare grant application materials and activities such as community engagement, workforce development and clean technology strategies.
“No one understands a community’s unique transportation needs better than the people who actually live there—yet many small communities don’t have the resources or capacity to secure the funding for infrastructure projects,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a bulletin announcing the funding. “The Thriving Communities Program is all about empowering communities to better access federal dollars so they can realize their own visions for better infrastructure and transportation.”
The call for Letters of Interest (LOI) from communities seeking support from the program is open until Nov.15. DOT anticipates announcing recipients in early 2024.
Additional technical assistance resources can be found on the DOT Navigator at www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator.
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Register for Equity in Roadway Safety Workshop: Strategies for Meaningful Public Involvement in Roadway Safety Planning | |
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The U.S. Department of Transportation will host workshops Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon on strategies and tools to conduct meaningful public involvement with underserved communities in roadway safety planning and project development.
The workshops will focus on using meaningful public engagement that can contribute to Strategic Highway Safety Plans, Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessments, regional safety planning, as well as local Safety Action Plans.
Providing the public opportunities to provide meaningful input into shaping highway safety programs or projects is a new requirement for State Highway Safety Offices under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
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USDOT Announces Second Year of SMART Grants Funding Innovations in Data and Technology Systems | |
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that it is accepting applications for the second year of its Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The program will fund up to $500 million in grants over five years to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems that improve transportation efficiency and safety. Last fiscal year, eight agencies across California were awarded nearly $10.5 million in funding for projects that used new technologies and approaches to traffic safety.
“New technologies like connected vehicles, smart traffic signals, and more have the potential to make our transportation system dramatically safer and more efficient, yet many public sector agencies aren’t equipped to harness the full potential of these innovations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is open and can be found on the SMART Grants Program website. The SMART Grants Program is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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Grantee Highlight: Long Beach Health and Human Services, Walk and Roll Long Beach | |
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In the bustling city of Long Beach, where many residents and visitors walk and bike to get around, the Walk & Roll Long Beach program focuses on promoting street safety for all pedestrians and bicyclists. Through free education classes on responsibilities and rules of the road, walking field trips, bicycle and pedestrian training courses for youth, free bicycle helmets and fittings, and other resources, the city is providing residents of all ages with tools to use streets safely.
The Walk & Roll Long Beach team has worked to strengthen internal partnerships, which has helped leverage valuable resources. In collaboration with these partners, the team increased its reach to people experiencing homelessness, successfully hosted community bike rides, and developed relationships within their diverse community.
As part of California’s Pedestrian Safety Month in September, Walk & Roll Long Beach joined the OTS, CHP, and Long Beach Police Department to host a bicycle and pedestrian safety day for kids at a local elementary school. The event emphasized the importance of a safe, convenient and fun environment for children to walk, roll and bike to school.
The OTS has allocated approximately $11.5 million for bicycle and pedestrian safety grant programs, a nearly 35 percent increase from the last grant cycle.
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The OTS is excited to welcome Linda Tomasello as a new Grant Coordinator. Linda has a driven passion for both officer and public safety. She has 26-plus years of experience with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and comes to us from the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Law Enforcement Division (CDFW LED). While at the CHP, Linda was a senior grant analyst for 10 years and was responsible for grant programs from initial concept to completion. She wrote and managed various statewide and small community grant programs from DUI, DRE, speed-related, street racing, pedestrian safety, migrant farm labor safety, youth and senior driver safety, and child safety seats. As a mom, one grant dear to Linda is the teen program, “Start Smart Driver Safety.” She further continues to share her passion for people by serving the community with instruction in various paper art classes, teaching people to use art as a form to heal their hearts and clear their minds. She shares health education, cooking, and driver safety briefs within each class with students.
We asked Linda a few questions to get to know her. Answers may have been edited for length and clarity.
What are you looking forward to most in your new role?
Working with OTS staff and grantees to assist with their grant programs. I have had many roles in my state career that play a part in saving lives, but working with grants was one of the most rewarding positions, and I am happy to have the opportunity to be part of grant programs again.
What is your favorite movie?
“Sleepless in Seattle”
One day to unplug. No strings attached. What would that day look like?
I would plan a trip to Yosemite with my little man Jonah (whom I am adopting) and our German Shepherd Liv and share the valley's beauty. Show him some photography techniques and rich California history. Nature is such a great way to decompress for most everyone. Also, our car trips seem to turn into karaoke car trips! Yes, I am a fantastic singer in my car.
What or who inspires you?
The joy of doing for others, whether teaching an art class, sewing a quilt wall hanging, canning fresh pasta sauce, cooking meals for a friend, helping a friend with gardening, or making a surprise for a friend and leaving at their door or desk. It is something that makes others’ hearts smile, which, in turn, brings me joy.
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The OTS administers traffic safety grants that deliver innovative programs and strives to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries on California roadways. The OTS is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). | | | |
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OTS Marketing and Public Affairs
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