Project SAFE Initiative

Through the Project SAFE (Streets Are For Everyone) Initiative, the BLEC offers community-based pedestrian safety education to youth and adults in Lexington and Richland counties. The Project SAFE Initiative targets underserved and immigrant communities of West Columbia, Cayce, and Columbia to address the area’s growing need for pedestrian safety.

From 2013 to 2022, there were 976 fatal school-transportation-related crashes.
South Carolina Department of Public Safety

Program Goals

Decrease pedestrian collisions (serious and fatal) in West Columbia, Cayce, and Columbia.
Increase the number of 4th-8th graders educated on pedestrian safety prior to them becoming young drivers.

Impact Indicators

Statistics shall be obtained from the SCDPS to verify that pedestrian collisions (serious and fatal) in West Columbia, Cayce, and Columbia are decreasing by the end of the grant period.
Track the number of youth that participate in training and measure knowledge gains analyzed with pre and posttest measures.

Evidence of the Problem

In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that over 7,000 persons died and over 60,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. Over 70% of these fatalities were men (Centers for Disease Control, 2021) and occurred at non-intersections in urbanized areas (National Safety Council, 2021). African American and Hispanics are at increased risk of pedestrian fatalities in underserved areas (Raifman et al, 2022). Additionally, NHTSA concludes that children between ages 10-14 have the highest estimated pedestrian injury rate.

South Carolina ranks 4th in the nation for pedestrian fatalities (NHTSA, 2021). In 2021 the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reported most crashes occurred on dry roads, with clear weather conditions, and during daylight hours.

Locally, Richland and Lexington counties are in South Carolina’s midlands region and rank in the top ten counties for fatal and serious pedestrian injury involved crashes according to the 2025 Highway Safety Funding Guidelines document. In 2021, the two counties combined accounted for 181 of the pedestrian-related crashes in the state (SCDPS). According to SCDPS 2018-2022 data, both counties follow the national trend of more men and African Americans being involved in pedestrian crashes. During the same time span in Richland County, the Columbia Police Department responded to over 300 pedestrian-related collisions. In Lexington County, Cayce and West Columbia police departments responded to 111 pedestrian-related collisions combined. The 2018 Central Midlands Council of Governments’ Population Projections Report predicts a steady annual population growth for both counties (Richland 1.8%, Lexington 2.7%), thus illustrating that there will be increased overall road usage over the coming years.

With walking as one of the most basic forms of transportation and recreation, it is vital that pedestrian safety education be deployed in both counties and that the most vulnerable minority and immigrant communities are targeted. The Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2021 Analysis of Traffic Fatalities by Race and Ethnicity recommends to “tailor and develop with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) input safety education campaigns and outreach efforts to address the needs and culture of BIPOC communities. This ensures these campaigns are culturally relevant, use appropriate distribution channels/methods and are delivered by individuals who are representative of the people they are attempting to reach.” A community-based organization (CBO) is best situated to provide such education and outreach.

Specific Objectives

To adopt and tailor the Watch for Me NC campaign multi-media (print, audio, video) materials for the underserved and immigrant communities of West Columbia, Cayce, and Columbia by December 31, 2024.
Distribute print materials at community events and health fairs throughout 2025.
To partner with Columbia, West Columbia, and Cayce Community Police Units to distribute print materials in community by February 2025.
To deploy audio/video campaign materials on various media channels by March 2025.
To develop 10-minute pedestrian safety education segments for Lutheran Services new immigrant refugees in West Columbia by May 2025.
To train part time trainers on Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum for grades 4-8 by March 31, 2025.
To pilot curriculum by May 15, 2025.
To implement curriculum into at least 3 total summer camp, youth athletic or mentoring programs in Lexington and Richland counties by August 2025.

Program Contacts

Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton, Project SAFE Coordinator

Email: crichburgcotton@brookland.cc
Office: (803) 744-7943

Mobile: (803) 747-3519