Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

Data has shown that minority populations, recent immigrants, non-English speakers, people with low income, and people with low literacy are at especially high risk of injury as motor vehicle occupants. A strategy to make road safety education more accessible to newcomers was developed by Safety Drives Us, a partnership between community leaders, settlement agencies, public health, police, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Our initial focus was to correct the identified gaps in child passenger safety information. Using trusted and culturally competent settlement workers as educators has been an effective way to promote child passenger safety among traditionally hard-to-reach groups. Early results have allowed us to improve the strategy and to expand our efforts to other regions.

Natalie Zeitoun and Hanadi Al-Masri