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Older Californian Traffic Safety Task Force
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OUR MISSION: To reduce motor vehicle collision and pedestrian deaths and injuries experienced by older
Californians and to increase seniors' alternate transportation options when driving is no longer an option.
History
The Older Californian Traffic Safety (OCTS) Task Force was convened in March 2003 in response to a report issued by the California Task Force on Older Adults and Traffic Safety (OATS), "Traffic Safety Among Older Adults: Recommendations for California," in August 2002. During the early years, the task force was jointly coordinated by San Diego State University (SDSU), Center for Injury Prevention Policy & Practice (CIPPP) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CIPPP was responsible for project coordination and administration and the CHP was designated as the lead agency. In 2005, the CHP assumed full responsibility for the OCTS Task Force.
Focus
The initial OCTS Task Force charge was to improve traffic safety for older Californians by developing and/or implementing recommendations from the OATS report. It initially sought to increase the capacity of law enforcement, aging services, health, transportation and other professionals to implement strategies to improve traffic safety for older adults through education and training, and to increase awareness of the problem of traffic-related injuries among older Californians. In 2005, the OCTS Task Force expanded its focus to include senior mobility issues.
Membership
The OCTS Task Force has a diverse, interdisciplinary membership representing both the public and private sectors. In addition to the general task force, there are eight workgroups devoted to applied disciplines. The workgroups are addressing senior driver policy and public information issues, traffic infrastructure changes, as well as issues within the health care provider, law enforcement, and aging services communities. Here's a list of our partners. .
Operation
The OCTS Task Force meets approximately once per quarter. Meetings are held in the morning and last approximately two and one-half hours. The most recent meeting was held on December 5, 2006, at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento. To view minutes from past meetings, click here.
Accomplishments
The OCTS Task Force has successfully developed and implemented many important programs and conducted a variety of senior events to enhance the safety and mobility of California's older adults. While the OCTS Task Force has enjoyed enormous success, the effort is far from complete. As such, workgroups have outlined their goals for 2007. Click here to view OCTS Task Force accomplishments and 2007 goals.
Special Events
In 2005 and 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger declared the third week of October as Senior Safe Mobility Week in California. To honor and
celebrate the proclamation in 2006, the OCTS Task Force conducted the first ever Senior Safe
Mobility Summit on October 26, 2006, in Newport Beach. The summit was an overwhelming success. For more information about the summit,
click here.
CHP Senior Driver/Mobility Program
View videos to help educate Older Californian Drivers and their families.
The CHP's mission is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California. To that end, addressing
older driver safety/mobility is a high priority for the CHP. Over the past six years, the Department has placed emphasis on the roadway safety
and mobility of California's seniors. A list of these programs and efforts appears below.
- Office of Traffic Safety Grant Programs: Senior Safety Classique (2002); Older Californian, Hispanic and Asian American Traffic Safety (2004); Older Drivers Driving Safer and Longer (2005); and Seniors Safe and Mobile (2006)
- Older Adults and Traffic Safety (OATS) Task Force Participant (2000 - 2002)
- Older Californian Traffic Safety (OCTS) Task Force - Chair, Coordinator, and Participant (2003 - Present)
- Served as a consultant to a Bay Area public television station to produce a program addressing senior driving issues, The Golden Road (2003)
- CHP Redwood City Area Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - Driving Wellness Program (Unlock Your Potential) (2004)
- Consultant to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in developing a standardized older driver law enforcement curriculum (2005)
- Developed a partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles to conduct senior driving seminars held throughout the state (2006)
- The Department is a major stakeholder in the development an implementation of the state's Strategic Highway Safety Plan (response to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Safety Act: A Legacy for Users [SAFETEA-LU]); older driver safety/mobility is an emphasis area (2006)
- Dissemination of statewide older driver/mobility public awareness presentation package to CHP Areas (2007). To view the slides, "Stay Vital," click here
(Note: To run the presentation, go the tool bar at the top , click on "Slide Show", and then "View Show". Press the "tab" key or the "enter" key to continue through the slides. Press the "Escape" key to return to the beginning.) Links to Resources click here
For further information, please contact the CHP OCOR at (916) 843-3210.
Funding for the Older Californian Traffic Safety Task Force is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency