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Highway Safety Education
with Public Health Educator, Christy Smith
Call Health Promotion and Wellness @ (423) 209-8200 to schedule a presentation.
Advisory Council on Traffic Safety (ACTS)
The Advisory Council on Traffic Safety (ACTS) was formed to coordinate traffic safety issues and traffic crash prevention programs with governmental agencies in Hamilton County. The actions of the council are not bound to any one agency, but are intended to bring the agencies together as a unit. Since 1984, over twenty five years since forming the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety, the ten municipalities of Hamilton County are still represented. Commissioner Larry Henry is the Chairperson of this committee and Judge Clarence Shattuck is the Vice Chairman. The council meets quarterly to network, announce upcoming traffic safety events and hear guest speakers on current traffic safety issues.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department coordinates the meetings and brings the group together for other events such as trainings, seat belt surveys, mock crashes and other educational presentations to local schools and community groups. Educational Programs are available by contacting the ACTS Coordinator at 423-209-8200.
Programs include:
- Car Seat Safety and Inspections
- "Drinking and Driving, the Costs and Consequences"
- Safe Teen Driving
- Seat Belt Surveys
- Simulated (Mock) Crashes
- Child Passenger Safety
Seat Belt Program
Seat belts have been proven to save lives. It’s the best defense you can have on the road. Recent surveys indicate that 74% of county residents wear their seat belts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
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Seat belt use nationwide reached 82% in 2005.
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89% of children involved in crashes were unrestrained.
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Buckling a seat belt can improve the chance of surviving a potentially fatal crash by from 45% to 73%
The Highway Safety Program at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department participates in “Click It or Ticket,” “Buckle Up, America,”, "National Child Passenger Safety Week" and other programs that help to save lives and reduce injuries. The health educator speaks to various business, school and community groups on seat belt usage. Current seat belt laws can be found at: www.tntrafficsafety.org
For more information on these activities or to schedule a speaker, call our office at (423) 209-8200.
Drinking and Driving Program
The Drinking and Driving Prevention Program at the Health Department seeks to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and fatalities through education, enforcement and legislation. Currently, alcohol-related fatalities comprise about one third of motor vehicle crash deaths.
For information on drinking and drugged driving prevention, please call (423) 209-8200.
The Car Seat Program
The Car Seat Program at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department serves Hamilton County residents when funding is available.
To qualify for a free car seat an applicant:
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must be a resident of Hamilton County
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must be a recipient of WIC or TennCare
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must attend a safety class to learn correct installation
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must have a privately-owned vehicle available for class
Documentation and proof must accompany the parent or guardian on the day of the class.
Our car seat hot line is (423) 209-8200.
After viewing a brief video, class participants are shown how to properly restrain a child in the car seat. Participants are asked to do this before they are shown the correct way to put the restraint in the vehicle. Finally, parents are taught how to install the child restraint seat in the vehicle.
For additional information:
The Bicycle Safety Program
Bicycle safety is of growing concern as gas prices rise and the community of Chattanooga becomes more environmentally conscious. Both drivers and cyclists need to be aware of bicycle traffic safety laws and tips for sharing the road. The Highway Safety Coordinator is available to promote awareness to students and adults alike with hands on presentations, helmet fittings and bicycle rodeos.
Please call the Highway Safety Coordinator for more information on Bicycle Safety presentations for your students or community groups.
For additional information on bicycle safety, please contact our office at (423) 209-8200 and view the following links:
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Advisory Council coordinates Hixson High School Mock Crash, April 2010
Students from Hixson High School simulated a prom night crash scene on campus this spring with volunteers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Chattanooga Fire Dept. and Hamilton County EMS. This year's crash was sponsored by Super BILO of Hixson and State Farm Agent Tom Kolb. Students were encouraged to return to their classes and discuss the impact of drinking and driving and sign a Prom Pledges. Addressing this year's junior and senior student body was ACTS Chairperson Commissioner Larry Henry. The purpose of the Mock Crash each year is to stress the importance of staying drug and drink free on prom night. A total of 186 Prom Pledges were signed this year at Hixson High alone.
Community car seat check points rotate throughout Hamilton County and are hosted by area hospitals and businesses. The Highway Safety Coordinator and her bilingual staff are also on hand during community health fairs and outreach events.Car seat classes are held at the 3rd Street Health Dept. in both English and Spanish for WIC clients. For specific locations, times and dates, please call (423) 209-8200.
As part of our ongoing effort to keep the children of Chattanooga safe from traumatic injuries, the Highway Safety Coordinator will help properly fit helmets during community based presentations.
* All photos are stock image photos and are not actual Chattanooga-Hamilton County employees. |