PROJECT UPDATES UNITED STATES 2009 | Back

Phase I -2008

Issue:

Pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5-14 in the United States. In 2007, one of every five children between the age of 5 and 9 years old who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Project:

To better understand pedestrian safety in cities across the country, the Safe Kids Walk This Way program worked with 50 students in the United States to capture on film the environments children face while walking in their communities.  By chronicling their environments, identifying risk factors and distinguishing between safe and unsafe road traffic situations, it is hoped that PHOTOVOICE will help the country’s children become safe pedestrians.

Students, ages 9-14, took part in education sessions about pedestrian safety and photography before digital cameras were provided. Altogether 1,500 photographs of the pedestrian environments, such as crosswalks, speed humps, and sidewalks, were taken across the United States.  

As part of the initiative, children, parents, teachers, and community members were invited to identify pedestrian-related issues in their community and explore solutions.   This exhibit is a compilation of the photos, along with the children’s written descriptions of the particular environmental situation depicted in the photos.

Phase II- Advocacy 2009

Project:

Safe Kids invited coalitions to take their Phase I PHOTOVOICE projects to the next level.  Coalitions used the children’s photos to campaign City Council to promote awareness of environmental hazards and pedestrian safety; write to newspapers about traffic calming measures and safety interventions; display their PHOTOVOICE project in government venues; and partner with schools to promote pedestrian safety and awareness.  These projects worked to promote changes based on the pictures taken by children during PHOTOVOICE phase I.

Phase II- Environmental 2009

Issue:

Participating coalitions built on the photojournalism project initiated in 2008 to address the issues that were identified by child participants.  Coalitions choose between an advocacy grant or a mini environmental grant to leverage pedestrian safety efforts.

Project:

Coalitions received a mini environmental grant of between $1,500 and $2,000, depending on their project.  They used these grants to analyze the photos taken by the children in 2008 and make improvements to the walking environment, based on the needs presented in the photos.  

In addition, coalitions were provided a tool kit with resources to conduct their environmental modifications, which included installing crosswalks, building sidewalks, and implementing traffic signs. 

Several coalitions held a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting ceremony during the month of October 2009 to promote the environmental modification.  Through these environmental modifications, Safe Kids will continue to educate children about pedestrian and road traffic safety.

Participating Coalitions

In 2009 Safe Kids USA gave out photo voice grants to the following Safe Kids coalitions:

• Safe Kids Allen County
• Safe Kids Charlotte Mecklenburg
• Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati
• Safe Kids Greater Green Bay
• Safe Kids Los Angeles West
• Safe Kids Madison Area
• Safe Kids Marion County
• Safe Kids Montgomery County
• Safe Kids Northwest Piedmont
• Safe Kids Prince George's County
• Safe Kids Sarpy Cass
• Safe Kids Ventura County

Each coalition worked with local kids to identify and photograph dangerous environments for pedestrians.

About Safe Kids USA

Safe Kids USA was launched in 1987. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Safe Kids USA focuses on the risk areas of wheeled sport safety, drowning prevention, fire and burn prevention, child passenger safety, pedestrian safety, and others. 

For more information, please visit www.usa.safekids.org