FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2006

CONTACT: SGT. R.K. HUGHES, 803-896-8144

 

SC HIGHWAY PATROL AWARDED GRANT TO ENHANCE SAFETY PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC POPULATION

 

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces that it has been awarded a grant to enhance the Highway Patrol’s safety outreach programs in the Hispanic community.

 

Much of this education effort will focus on helping the Hispanic community gain a clearer understanding of traffic laws in South Carolina particularly in the areas of impaired driving and speed, which are leading causation factors for fatal collisions in the Hispanic community. There is also a strong emphasis in the presentation on occupant restraint use and the proper use of child safety seats.

 

“With the growing Hispanic population in our state, we felt that it was imperative to address the safety issues that are specific to this population,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark. “The segment is presented in Spanish with English subtitles and features Hispanic/Latino officers and families. We believe this is going to be very helpful as we continue to reach out to our diverse communities.”

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded a $41,400 grant to the Highway Patrol for the enhancement of its current safety curriculum program. The bulk of the grant was used to develop a comprehensive multimedia presentation, which includes how to get a driver’s license at the Department of Motor Vehicles, practical driving tips/scenarios, collision trends for Hispanics, and a step-by-step approach to properly installing a child safety seat etc. The grant period runs from February 1, 2006, to September 30, 2006, but the presentation will be used on a continuous basis after that time.

 

In 2004, the Highway Patrol created a comprehensive safety curriculum for use by troopers, which included separate presentations on child restraint demonstrations; children’s safety; teen driving; senior driving; occupant restraint and impaired driving. These multimedia presentations are used by the Highway Patrol Community Relations Officers on a daily basis in businesses, schools, churches and other organizations.

 

Law enforcement agencies, the military and others have been trained by the Highway Patrol to show the curriculum.

 

The Highway Patrol is required to conduct at least 30 traffic safety presentations before September 30 geared toward the Latino community using the new presentation as a condition of the grant.   

 

To request a presentation using the new curriculum, contact the SC Highway Patrol Office of Community Relations at 803-896-7920.