Review of Tribal Transportation Safety

Abstract

For more than a decade, the proportion of American Indians and Alaskan Natives killed in motor vehicle–related crashes (per population of 100,000) has been much higher than that of other ethnic groups in the United States. Between 1975 and 2002, the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes increased by 52.5% on Indian reservations, while the number declined by 2.2% nationally. Seat belt underuse, child seat restraint underuse, and operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol have been identified as key concerns for tribal transportation safety during various tribal safety summits and in the published literature. Without detailed data, identifying specific risk factors and developing effective solutions (as well as securing federal and state funding for safety programs) is difficult. This report summarizes the information available on crashes in tribal communities to generate a fact-based understanding of the status of transportation safety within these communities. Gaps in crash data and a study procedure to overcome these gaps are discussed to understand and work better to improve transportation safety on tribal lands. Results showed that readily available information could provide only a broad overview of the status of tribal transportation safety. For the major transportation safety concerns within a tribal community to be identified and addressed, data need to be obtained at the community level. For crash patterns and best practices to be identified, information should be aggregated from tribes that have successfully established a data collection procedure and have implemented safety programs.

Fatal Pediatric Motor Vehicle Crashes on U.S. Native American Indian Lands Compared to Adjacent Non-Indian Lands: Restraint Use and Injury by Driver, Vehicle, Roadway and Crash Characteristics

“…There were several significant differences in the characteristics of crashes on Indian lands compared to non-Indian lands. Within geographic regions, driver restraint was a highly important factor, a finding consistent with what is generally known [ 9 , 11 , 15 ]. Environmental characteristics appear to play an important role with crashes on Indian lands being more likely to be on two lane roads and to be single vehicle collisions.…”

“…This occurred as MV mortality rates fell in all race and ethnic groups, but with smaller improvements for American Indian/Alaskan Natives that produced an actual widening of MV occupant disparities [ 3 ]. Appropriate restraining of children in motor vehicles is effective in lowering child MV crash mortality [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], but American Indian pediatric passengers are reported to be less likely to be properly restrained [ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], thus potentially increasing the risk of mortality. Several risk factors for increased risk of injury and mortality among American Indians have been identified [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], although there are also reports of racial misclassification for American Indians [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Observed Seat Belt Use on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State

“…Of the 217 traffic deaths of passenger vehicle occupants that occurred among American Indians and Alaska Natives from 2005 to 2014 in Washington State, 128 of those who died (59%) were not restrained or were improperly restrained. This traffic mortality disparity has been documented nationwide (2,7).…”

“…This simple act may reduce fatal injury to occupants of the front seat of passenger cars by 45% and to occupants of light trucks by up to 60% (1). Research has shown that Native Americans are less likely than all other categories of race or ethnicity to wear a seat belt (2)(3)(4). Equally concerning, research has shown a strong association of nonuse of seat belts by Native American drivers with nonuse of proper child restraints (5).…”

Advancing Indian Nations’ Motor Vehicle Crash Reporting

“…High quality crash data is essential in prioritizing and effectively implementing these evidence-based solutions. Unfortunately, Native Indian communities typically lack a comprehensive crash reporting system (CRS) (4)(5)(6)(7). Few participate in the state CRSs that form the foundation for national traffic safety analysis related to federal resource and policy decisions.…”