Final Detailed Findings Report for Marketing Plan and Outreach Materials that Promote Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety to Different Hispanic Populations in the United States

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Section 10. Street Smart 2004 Campaign, Washington, DC

10.1 Introduction/Summary

Street Smart is a pedestrian and bicycle safety and public awareness program in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The goal is to educate the public on pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and laws. Street Smart started in 2002, and the most recent implementation took place in April 2004.

10.2 Questions answered

In what pedestrian and bicycle safety-related areas is communication with Hispanic audiences most needed?

The 2004 campaign was evaluated in terms of

  1. Increasing public awareness of pedestrian safety in general and regarding pedestrian laws in crosswalks in particular
  2. Increasing public awareness of police enforcement of drivers yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
  3. Improving driver and pedestrian behavior.

The survey was administered in English only, so many Hispanics did not have an opportunity to provide input.

What types of messages are most likely to have the most impact? What tone should the messages have? Should humor be used, or would messages with "shock value" have more impact?

Campaign materials urged drivers to "Imagine the Impact" of a crash on the lives and families of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. This suggests that "shock value" is appropriate in pedestrian- and bicyclist-oriented messages.

What are the best "media" for getting the messages across? Might the messages be communicated by posters at bus shelters or as "safety tips" on transit timetables, where the messages would actually be in context? Should the messages ultimately be delivered in newspaper or magazine ads, and if so, what newspapers and magazines are most often read by Hispanics? Would television ads be effective, and if so, on which channels should they be broadcast?

Street Smart utilized multiple resources and media: TV and radio spots, print ads, outdoor media including transit shelters and bus backs, posters, handouts, and more. Enforcement activities (pedestrian stings) were also conducted. Spanish media included Telemundo (TV), El Tiempo Latino (newspaper) and some transit shelter signs. There were no magazine ads.

Which age groups of Hispanics should be targeted and why?

Males ages 18 to 34 (of all ethnic and racial groups) were targeted because they are the primary offenders in pedestrian safety issues.

Should materials be presented just in Spanish, or in English and Portuguese as well?

Street Smart conveyed information in both English and Spanish. It did not include Portuguese.

10.3 Outstanding questions

Which Hispanic groups should be targeted and why?

This campaign did not target specific Hispanic groups such as migrant workers or recent immigrants. Drivers (of all ethnic and racial groups) were the primary target.

Should different cultural groups be targeted and why?

This campaign did not target different cultural groups.

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Program Contact

Tamara Redmon

202-366-4077

Gabriel Rousseau

202-366-8044

What’s New

The FHWA Safety Office is continually developing new materials to assist states, localities and citizens in improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. The materials listed on this page were completed recently.

New Pedestrian Forum – Spring 2013

New Pedestrian Safer Journey 2013 (Revised)  

Bicycle Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists

Proven Countermeasures for Pedestrian Safety

Spotlight on Pedestrian Safety

Promoting the Implementation of Proven Pedestrian Countermeasures

State Best Practice Policy for Medians

State Best Practice Policy for Shoulders and Walkways

Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report

The State of Florida is developing a statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. They have set up a project website that includes information about the project, workshop presentations and resources relating to pedestrian safety.

Evaluating Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures

Safety Benefits of Raised Medians and Pedestrian Refuge Areas: Brochure, Booklet

Safety Benefits of Walkways, Sidewalks, and Paved Shoulders: Brochure, Booklet

Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan