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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Lisa Hyde, MPA¹, Jacqueline Haus, MBA¹, Larry Cook, MStat², and Lenora Olson, MA, PhD³. (1) Intermountain Injury Control Research Center, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, PO Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0289, 801-581-5755, lisa.hyde@hsc.utah.edu, (2) Intermountain Injury Control Center, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, P.O. Box 581289, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-1289, (3) Pediatrics, University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-1220

Problem: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death. To analyze trends and monitor safety improvements, reliable and timely statewide crash data are necessary. Yet, statewide traffic records often lack the quality and sophistication needed for effective analyses. Problems in statewide crash data include inefficient data processing procedures (including paper-based submissions and double-entry of incident data), lengthy reporting delays, incomplete or poorly completed crash forms, and lack of effective planning and collaboration between agencies and data users.

Intervention: In 2000, the Utah Traffic Records Coordinating Coalition (TRCC) was formed to help improve traffic records. Since that time, the Utah TRCC has collaboratively implemented a “real-time” electronic data collection system, redesigned and improved the crash investigation form (with statewide implementation on February 15, 2006), created and delivered a DVD-based training program for educating law enforcement on crash data, and increased partnerships and collaborations between many state agencies.

Discussion: Our state has overcome challenges and used partnerships to improve the traffic records system. We will describe the collaborative approach used by the TRCC to improve crash data in Utah, including barriers, resolutions, and overall lessons learned from each stage of the process. We will also present evaluation data and feedback on the newly-implemented crash form and training program, as well as discuss future directions and implications for other states on improving crash data.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to recognize the need for quality statewide crash data, assess Utah's progress in advancing its statewide traffic records system, identify the collaborative techniques used to make system improvements, and apply these lessons learned to other areas of injury control and data system management.

Keywords: Data Collection, Injury Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation