I. Executive Summary
A. Project Background
The nature and extent of the Hispanic pedestrian and bicycle highway safety problem is not well known. It is apparent that a disproportionate number of the persons killed in highway crashes of all types are Hispanic immigrants. While the reasons for this over-involvement have not been determined, it has been suggested that cultural differences, language problems,and a lack of familiarity with traffic in the United States may be involved.(Braver, 2003)
Census data show that the Hispanic population is growing faster than any other group in the United States. The highway safety problems of Hispanics will only increase as more and more Hispanics immigrate to the U.S. Accordingly, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracted with the Center for Applied Research, Inc. (CAR) and its subcontractor, The Media Network, Inc.(TMN).
B. Project Objectives
The contract objective was to determine the extent of the pedestrian and bicyclist highway safety problem as it relates to Hispanics.
The ultimate goal of this project was to provide Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) information for developing a marketing plan for pedestrian and bicycle safety messages for Hispanic audiences in the U.S
C. Quantitative Data: Main Findings
Each year an average of 545 Hispanics are killed in pedestrian crashes. Hispanic pedestrians account for 16.3% of all pedestrian crashes nationwide.
Each year an average of 79 Hispanics are killed in bicycle crashes. Hispanic bicyclists account for 15.6% of all bicyclist crashes nationwide.
Most (77.3%) of the Hispanic pedestrian crashes involve Hispanics of Mexican or Central/South American origin. Hispanics from other areas are less involved in Hispanic pedestrian crashes.
Table 1: Average Annual Pedestrian & Bicyclist Fatalities by Hispanic Country of Origin
| Country of Origin | Average Annual Pedestrian Fatalities | Average Annual Bicyclist Fatalities | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |
| Hispanics of Mexican Origin | 353 | 64.8% | 53 | 67.0% |
| Hispanics of Central/South American Origin | 68 | 12.5% | 10 | 12.7% |
| Hispanics of Puerto Rican Origin | 31 | 5.7% | 6 | 7.6% |
| Hispanics of Cuban Origin | 30 | 5.5% | 3 | 3.8% |
| Hispanics of European Spanish/Other Origin | 63 | 11.6% | 7 | 8.9% |
| Total Annual Hispanic Pedestrian Fatalities | 545 | 100.00% | 79 | 100.0% |
| Source: Fatal Accident Reporting System: 1999-2003 | ||||
Most (79.7%) of the Hispanic bicycle crashes involve Hispanics of Mexican or Central/South American origin. Hispanics from other areas are less involved in Hispanic bicycle crashes.
Death rates are computed by dividing the number of deaths experienced by a group by the total population of that group. The Hispanic population in the U.S. has a higher pedestrian death rate than the non-Hispanic Whites but not as high as the non-Hispanic Blacks. The Hispanic population in the U.S. has a higher bicyclist death rate than non-Hispanic Whites but not as high as non-Hispanic Blacks:
Table 2: Deaths & Death Rates by Ethnicity for Pedestrians & Bicyclists
| Crash Category | Deaths & Death Rates By Ethnicity | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic All Races | Non-Hispanic White | Non-Hispanic Black | ||||
| Number Deaths | Death Rate | Number Deaths | Death Rate | Number Deaths | Death Rate | |
| Pedestrians | 1,071 | 2.88 | 3,527 | 1.78 | 1,073 | 3.01 |
| Bicyclists | 121 | 0.32 | 519 | 0.26 | 120 | 0.34 |
| Source: Center for Disease Control: 2001 data | ||||||
D. Partnership and Coalition Building: Main Findings
The Media Network(TMN) contacted over 100 Hispanic community-based organizations in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. to learn more about the work these organizations are doing related to pedestrian and bicycle safety and to assess their overall interest in this topic. The goal was that these organizations would work in partnership with us to provide data regarding crash statistics, and to provide us with information on what actions, if any, are going on at the local level about this topic. The response from these organizations was disappointing, with many organizations not returning our calls. The organizations we were able to talk to generally did not have much information on this topic. A few provided reports, essays, or other documents with relevant information, or even personal stories about accidents they had witnessed or heard about. However, most organizations did not have such information. We did not find any significant Hispanic community-based local efforts related to pedestrian and bicycle safety.
E. Focus Group: Main Findings
Two focus groups, one for pedestrians and one for bicyclists, were held in each of four cities: Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, and New York City, NY. There were twenty-eight men and thirty-four women. All were of Hispanic origin. The focus group discussions were in Spanish.
The main findings from the focus groups are consistent with the findings from the partnership calls: Hispanics in these focus groups had not given much thought to these issues, but, when brought to their attention, they find them interesting and important. Participants were especially interested in the fact that Hispanics are over represented in pedestrian and bicycle accidents. The Hispanics in these groups see cultural differences as a main potential cause of accidents among Hispanics, and cite major differences in traffic laws and enforcement between Latino countries and the U.S. They report a general lack of education on these issues, and few Spanish-language sources of information. Basic information designed for Spanish speakers on this topic would be greatly appreciated and well received by these audience groups. Additionally, participants said that new immigrants are particularly in need of such information. Participants did not think any one particular group of Hispanics (e.g. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Central Americans) was most at risk, however.
The main findings from the focus groups include:
- There are significant cultural differences that affect how Hispanics behave as pedestrians and bicyclists in the United States. Participants told us that traffic rules are enforced more stringently in the United States than in Latino countries. They said that Hispanic neighborhoods in the U.S. are also more disorderly and that these neighborhoods may also be prone to more accidents.
- Many features of the U.S. traffic system appear to be somewhat unfamiliar to Hispanics. Participants told us that many signs are the same across cultures, but that signs that rely heavily on writing in English can be confusing. Participants also told us that traffic moves faster in the U.S. Crosswalks appear to be less common in Latino countries. Participants told us that new immigrants, in particular, are unfamiliar with U.S. traffic laws, placing them at potentially higher risk.
- While U.S. drivers were seen as more respectful of pedestrians and bicyclists than those in Latino countries, participants still complained about a lack of respect from drivers.
- Hispanic pedestrians and bicyclists reported that there is a lack of basic information on pedestrian and bicycle safety.
- Participants reported that they sometimes knowingly do things that put them at risk. For example, almost all participants in the pedestrian group had jaywalked, and many cyclists say they do not always stop when it is required.
- Participants do take some safety precautions, such as trying to be alert, making eye contact with drivers, or wearing safety gear (e.g. helmets for bicyclists) or brightly colored clothing. Some behaviors are more common than others are, however. For example, most bicyclists did not report wearing helmets.
- Pedestrians and bicyclists both cite automobiles as a primary cause of crashes and participants strongly believe that education on this topic needs to involve drivers as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Crashes are likely under reported for Hispanic pedestrians and cyclists. Many participants cited fear of the police and illegal immigration status as reasons Hispanics may not contact the police.
- Children, senior citizens, and recent immigrants were all thought to be more at risk of getting in crashes than other groups because of their lack of awareness, lack of mobility, and lack of acculturation, respectively. Focus group members did not think that country of origin made a significant impact in pedestrian or cyclist behaviors. Participants in all four cities identified similar themes and issues.
- Focus Group members thought that additional education on this topic and fines would help to address this problem. They felt that Hispanics need to be educated concerning U.S. traffic and safety rules. This education should take the form of booklets, guides, advertising, and other information campaigns.
F. Conclusions and Recommendations
- Local pedestrian and bicycle safety programs targeted at Hispanics should focus on the specific pedestrian/bicyclist problems being experienced in each community. Pedestrian and bicycle safety problems in Hispanic communities may be different than those elsewhere. For example, the national pedestrian and bicyclist crash statistics suggest that Hispanic children are less involved than non-Hispanic children but that Hispanic young adults are more involved. It also appears that Hispanics of Mexican origin and Hispanics of Central/South American origin are more involved in pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. The role of alcohol in both pedestrian and bicyclist crashes should also be addressed.
- FHWA/NHTSA should consider designing and implementing campaigns for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers around the idea of "respect." This respect needs to flow mutually among all parties, and should include respect for the law as well. Such a campaign should be broadly targeted, but should include Hispanics and bilingual materials.
- Hispanics, and recent immigrants in particular, need information that is bilingual and that clearly explains common U.S. traffic laws, signs, rules, and behaviors. Such a guide should be available in Hispanic community centers,government offices, schools, and other locations.
- Information campaigns specifically for Hispanics should focus on the need to obey U.S. traffic laws such as stopping at lights and crossing only in crosswalks. Other topics that are likely to be of interest to Hispanics include information on how to use crosswalks and pedestrian/cyclists rights and responsibilities.
