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Multicultural Outreach
What You Should Know about African Americans and Safety Belts
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Recent research demonstrates that minorities are over-represented in motor vehicle crashes.
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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for African Americans through the
age of 14. They are the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages
of 15 and 24, surpassed only by homicides.
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In 2000, the seat belt use rate among African Americans was five percentage points lower
than that for whites.
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A recent survey showed that 42 percent of minority children (of which African Americans
were a part) were at greater risk of air bag related injuries because they were more frequently
placed in the front seat of vehicles with passenger-side air bags. By contrast, 15 percent of white
children were improperly placed in the front seat of these vehicles.
Good News
What You Should Know about Hispanics and Safety Belts
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For Hispanics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 1-34.
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A recent study examined motor vehicle fatality exposure rates and found that, although
African American and Hispanic male teenagers travel fewer vehicle miles than their white counterparts,
they are nearly twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle crash.
Differential Enforcement
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The issue of a law enforcement officer stopping a citizen based purely on race or ethnicity,
known as differential enforcement or "racial profiling," has recently become an issue in traffic
safety.
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While NHTSA supports the enactment of primary seat belt laws among the States, NHTSA strongly
opposes any form of enforcement that uses race or ethnicity as a criterion for stopping
a motorist. NHTSA continues to work with the Department of Justice to develop
and promote best practices for conducting fair, professional traffic stops.
NHTSA also continues to work with its State and community public safety partners
to ensure that traffic stops are made for legitimate law violations. NHTSA
encourages law enforcement agencies to adopt policies, management practices,
training, and community outreach efforts to eliminate differential enforcement.
Diversity in Region I
Region I continues to experience an increase in diverse populations. One
example is the Hispanic population increase that was reported by Census 2000.
From 1990 to 2000, the Latino population increased in our States as follows:
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Maine +37.1%
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Massachusetts +49.1%
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Connecticut +50.3%
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Vermont +50.3%
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New Hampshire +80.8%
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Rhode Island +98.5%.
In October 2003, NHTSA Regions I, II, and III joined together for a Diversity
conference in Princeton, New Jersey, to share best practices and work together to save lives.
Diversity Resources and Publications List
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Maine
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
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