Engaging multicultural drivers in Milwaukee County
Attendees take the Power of Zero Pledge. (Bell photo)
The Wisconsin Department of Transportaion (WisDOT) has launched a new safe driving campaign in Milwaukee County to educate members of the African American and Hispanic communities about simple ways to become safer drivers and to take a pledge to do all they can to achieve zero deaths on Wisconsin roads.
WisDOT developed this campaign to target certain key issues and markets. African Americans and Hispanics statistically exceed the national average in traffic crashed and deaths. For instance, seat belt use rates are at an all-time high nationally, but African Americans trail the national average, resulting in thousands of unnecessary deaths. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for African American males through age 14, and the second leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Hispanics ages 21-34, and the sixth leading cause of death for Hispanics of all ages.
To help reverse these dangerous trends, WisDOT has developed culturally appropriate, bilingual educational and marketing materials to increase awareness, educate and motivate drivers to pledge to take action in order to achieve zero crashes and driving fatalities on Wisconsin roads.
The kick-off of for the campaign highlighted the importance of bucking up, driving sober, slowing down, paying attention and using age appropriate child safety seats.
“The goal of the campaign is to encourage and educate the African American and Hispanic communities about the benefits of safe driving and encourage them to pledge to be safer drivers,” said State Patrol Maj. Sandra Hustable, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.
The press conference announcing the campaign was held at the offices of the Milwaukee Health Services located at 8200 W. Silver Spring. WisDOT, health professionals, located elected representatives as well as law enforcement officials and crash victim survivors, family and friends affected by crash fatalities were in attendance. Attendees were also invited to take the Power of Zero Pledge.
For upcoming information on the campaign continue to look for updates in The Milwaukee Courier.