Traffic Safety Research Grant Awarded to the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment

INDIANAPOLIS – The Center for Urban Policy and the Environment announced that it has been awarded a $320,000 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) for a one-year study of traffic safety in Indiana.

The grant will support analysis of data about motor vehicle accidents in the state of Indiana to identify traffic safety problems, recommend and design effective policies, and help the state apply for federal funds from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sam Nunn, director of criminal justice research at the Center, said, “174,464 vehicle crashes were documented in Indiana in 2005. These crashes caused more than 60,000 injuries, including 938 fatalities, and millions of dollars in property damage.”

Nunn said that the research team will produce a series of reports during 2007 that will report analyses of specific factors such as alcohol-related crashes, light trucks, large commercial trucks, speeding, motorcycles, occupant protection, young drivers, and country and municipality accident data. Center researchers will work closely with the ICJI traffic safety staff, the Indiana State Police, and other state agencies to develop the reports.

An applied research organization, the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment was created by the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 1992. It supplies research to help leaders develop strategic plans and implement effective programs. The Center is devoted to supporting economic success for Indiana and a high quality of life for all citizens.