Study Shows Value of Community Engagement in Rural Road Safety

Natoshia Askelson, senior research fellow in the Health Policy Research Program, and Corinne Peek-Asa, distinguished research fellow in the Transportation and Vehicle Safety and Crime and Justice Policy Research Programs, had a recent study published in the Journal of Transport & Health that highlighted the importance of having community involvement in rural road safety campaigns. Askelson and Peek-Asa were co-authors along with three other authors from the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa and Purdue.

A community advisory board (CAB) was formed for the study, with the objective of spreading three main messages through the campaign: 1) Slow down, 2) Leave more space, and 3) Avoid passing. The CAB publicized the message through marketing materials, distributing swag, and organizing events. Overall the campaign was a positive experience for CAB members, and successful in implementation.

The results of the study can be applied to other community-level campaigns for injury prevention, particularly in rural communities. Read the journal article here.