National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projects that roadway fatalities in the U.S. very slightly declined in 2022 over 2021 (a 0.3% decrease). NHTSA estimates 42,795 people died because of crashes in 2022, compared with 42,939 in 2021. Although this projection would make 2022 the first year without major increases since before the pandemic, the enormous rise over pre-pandemic rates persists; there were 36,096 traffic deaths in 2019.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine as quoted by the
National Safety Council, Hispanics / Latinos face elevated risk compared with non-Hispanic Whites when outside of a vehicle. When walking at night, Hispanic pedestrians experience a fatality rate 84% higher than non-Hispanic Whites. (The study covered pre-pandemic data).
NHTSA’s most recent 5-year data for Hispanics, running from 2013 to 2017, shows that:
- A majority (65%) of Hispanics killed in traffic crashes were riding in a vehicle.
- Almost half (47%) of Hispanic passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained.
- Almost half (44%) of Hispanic children (14 and younger) who died in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles were unrestrained.
- More than one-third (35%) of Hispanic traffic fatalities occurred in a crash that involved a drunk driver (BAC .08+).
To reach the Hispanic communities with safety messages, transportation safety professionals in and out of government must effectively communicate and connect. This webinar is part two in our ‘Communicating and Connecting Safety Messages with Underserved Communities' Series. Panelists will discuss the importance of appropriate audience segmentation for communication and program planning; engagement and communication with the Hispanic communities; and best practices for ensuring authenticity through communication programs, particularly those related to safety messaging.
Panelists will include:
- Nicholas Worrell, NTSB, Chief of Safety Advocacy Division (Moderator)
- Alfonso Pernia, MBA, Multicultural Communications Manager
- Violet Marrero, Consultant
- Jennifer Mayo, Chief (Acting) Consolidated Resources Branch| Public Assistance Division, FEMA
- José Alberto Uclés, Hispanic Public Affairs Spokesperson, Media and Event Specialist, U.S. Department of Transportation
Download panelist bios
Download panalist presentations:
Violet Marrero -
Effectively Communicating and Connecting Safety Messages
Jennifer Mayo - Engaging and Communicating with Hispanic Communities for Transportation Safety
Alfonzo Pernia -
Communicating & Connecting Safety Messages to the Hispanic/Latino Community
Watch the Webinar on
NTSB YouTube Channel
