Traverse Bay Area Safe Communities Coalition

The Traverse Bay Area Safe Communities Coalition is a committee of the Traverse Bay Area AAA Traffic Safety Committee. It is a coalition of law enforcement agencies, medical organizations, government leaders, legal representatives, road commissioners, engineers, traffic planners, education representatives, media and local businesses working in partnership to promote safe driving practices.

The ACTS was completed in 2000 for Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse Counties. In 2001, they completed the ACTS for Wexford and Benzie Counties to cover a five county region.

Results indicated the region’s top traffic safety deficits were safety belt nonuse, frequent alcohol use, low rate of drunk driving arrests, excessive speed related crash profile, and excessive 15-17 and 21-34 year old crash profiles.

Asset scores were highest in the enforcement category. According to ACTS results, the community perceives a strong presence of standard alcohol enforcement and enforcement coordination. The community also perceives good access to substance abuse treatment and judicial support for traffic safety.

The Traffic Safety Committee has experienced turnover in leadership and coordination of the coalition’s activities. Therefore the coalition is in a period of transition for planning and carrying out activities.

Well-Designed Awareness Campaign

The coalition developed an awareness campaign titled, "Safe Driving Starts With ME," to promote safe driving with an emphasis on responsibility, rules of the road, and courtesy. Driving tips were publicized in daily press releases to local media outlets. Local radio and TV stations aired driving tips and hosted coalition representatives during live programs. Other materials such as posters, tabletop displays, and vinyl holders for vehicle registration and proof of insurance documents were developed with the campaign.

The coalition promoted this campaign in Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties in fiscal year 2001, and then expanded it to Benzie and Wexford Counties in 2002.

Observation Survey of Belt Use

In May 2002 the Traverse Bay Area Traffic Safety Committee partnered with the Traverse City Fire Department and North Shore SafeKids to conduct an observation study at elementary schools in the Traverse City area. They discovered that only 54 percent of elementary students were buckled up for the ride home, compared to 71 percent of drivers. The coalition publicized the study’s findings and is in the process of planning activities to address this concern.

May 2003 Update

Through the leadership of Tammi Rodgers and other energetic coalition members, coalition activities have resumed.

The coalition was awarded a $5,000 Safe Communities grant through Prevention Network in May to host a car seat technician training camp. The camp will be held in June, and will train and certify up to 30 new car seat technicians to be available throughout the coalition’s region.