State News
Injury prevention initiatives receive grant from GOHS
Submitted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources
ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health has received funding from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to continue four Injury Prevention initiatives in 2009. The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) Support Project, the Older Driver Safety Program, the Rural Roads Initiative and the Child Occupant Safety Program were each awarded grants to continue efforts to improve the public health and safety of Georgians statewide. The four programs provide technical assistance and resources to health and safety professionals and other successful programs, develop community support and evaluate program efforts.
“The additional funds from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety enable us to build on the good work we have already done to protect Georgians while on the road,” said Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Division of Public Health. “We are honored to partner with the Office of Highway Safety, as these are key initiatives for them as well.”
The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation Support Project (CODES) Support Project was awarded $60,000; the Older Driver Safety Program was awarded $110,000; the Rural Roads Initiative was awarded $130,900; and the Child Occupant Safety Program was awarded $474,900.
The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) Support Project uses probabilistic techniques to link crash and other injury data. By linking crash, vehicle and behavior characteristics to the project’s medical and financial outcomes, a more comprehensive view of crash injuries is created and opportunities for prevention can be identified.
The Older Driver Safety Program focuses on reducing the number of injuries and fatalities experienced by older drivers. The program works to maintain and/or enhance the mobility of older adults and develops comprehensive strategies that balance the needs of older drivers and the safety of other road users.
The Rural Roads Initiative is a project that works to prevent injuries by improving safety on rural and non-interstate roads in northeast and southeast Georgia. The program addresses risks such as inadequate signage and striping on roads, behavioral factors such as speeding, and program factors such as lack of funds or program planning data. The grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will be used to properly identify traffic safety problems and supply accurate data and materials for program planning and implementation.
The Child Occupant Safety Program seeks to ensure that Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles. The program uses a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) best practice by offering education and distributing child safety seats to income eligible families in more than 90 Georgia counties through a mini-grant program.
For more information, please contact the Division of Public Health’s Injury Prevention Section at (404) 463-6112 or visit online at www.health.state.ga.us/programs/injuryprevention or www.gahighwaysafety.org.
- State News
-
-
House, Senate OK water conservation bills
Identical water conservation bills cleared both chambers of the state Legislature on Wednesday, an overture designed to help the state in negotiating a deal with Florida and Alabama over water rights.
-
Attorney: Pa. officers with Roethlisberger at club
Two off-duty Pennsylvania law enforcement officers were with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub where a woman accused him of sexual assault, and the two men didn’t see anything inappropriate, an attorney for one of them said Wednesday.
-
System to defend the poor still reeling
Georgia’s public defender system is still trying to recover its financial footing five years after a courthouse gunman racked up a $3 million taxpayer-funded defense tab on the way to his conviction.
-
Rainy weather continues
Rain is continuing to fall across Georgia, and a few counties remain under a flood warning.
-
Lawyers: Respect Roethlisberger accuser’s privacy
Attorneys for the woman who accuses Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault said that she did the right thing by going to police and asked for privacy in a statement Tuesday.
-
Marines name kennel for slain dog handler
An Albany military base is naming its kennel in honor of a Marine canine handler whose parents were allowed to adopt his bomb-sniffing dog after the young Marine was killed in Iraq.
-
DOJ mulls reduction in Ga. city’s voter precincts
An elections official in Columbus says the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to decide by April 26 whether to approve a plan to reduce the city’s voter precincts from 48 to 28.
-
Missing teen found dead
Authorities say the body of a 15-year-old McIntosh County boy was found in a rugged state wildlife management area after a 12-hour search.
-
Officials launch campaign to combat meth use
The Georgia Meth Project is launching a campaign to tackle the growing use of methamphetamine in Georgia, targeting teens who authorities say are becoming more likely to try the highly addictive drug.
-
Committee approves bill expanding gun carry areas
A bill that would allow gun owners with permits to carry firearms onto college campuses and into churches and bars has passed a key Senate committee.
- More State News Headlines
-
House, Senate OK water conservation bills
