Impact of a Traffic Safety Intervention Program to Reduce Work Injury/Fatalities Among the Farm Labor Population of the San Joaquin Valley

Objectives: The study is designed to analyze vehicular crash data in Central California involving farm workers while commuting to and from their farm employment sites.

The purpose of the study is to develop a crash profile in order to design and implement linguistic and culturally appropriate safe driving education and awareness outreach to farm workers and rural residents.

Methods: We assessed all farm worker traffic collisions that occurred during 1992-2008 (n=567). Data was collected from official crash reports containing cause of crash, severity of injuries and deaths, demographic information of the operators and passengers, weather and road conditions among other data. Analysis examined differences in crash events between certified and non-certified vehicles.

Results: The Passenger Farm Labor Vehicles still present a high risk of fatalities/injuries in traffic collisions. Differences in crash rates were found between the certified inspected vehicles and non-certified vehicles. Enforcement in mandatory certification of farm labor transporting vehicles significantly reduced crash injures and fatalities. 66.7% of collisions were caused by a P.F.L.V, Average age of at fault driver 40-43, 32% of accidents were caused by unsafe speed. While 22% were caused by improper turns. 15 total sub-analysis was done to determine specific factors of collisions.

Conclusions: This population presents a higher risk for collisions due to numerous conditions, including unsafe driving behaviors, unsafe vehicles, lack of understanding of traffic laws, and inability to read English language road signs. With this profile of information, the S.A.F.E. Program can update and implement their outreach accordingly.