Who We Are
The Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group (TSREG) is a working group of scholars and practitioners dedicated to reducing the morbidity and mortality caused by highway traffic crashes. This is completed through interdisciplinary research identifying effective program strategies and best practices for highway safety planning.
TSREG collaborates with federal, state, and local stakeholders with interests in traffic safety, including the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), to conduct research on effective health promotion interventions and to assess and document program outcomes.
What We Do
TSREG’s mission is to provide comprehensive research and analysis on the effectiveness of traffic safety programs at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce death and injury caused by roadway traffic crashes.
Mission-related activities include:
- Providing program evaluation services to federal and state agencies
- Performing grant review and analysis services for health and safety programs
- Providing technical consultation on traffic safety issues
- Conducting research on interventions designed to reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to traffic crashes
- Developing and disseminating best practices analyses to stakeholders in the traffic safety, educational, and public health domains
TSREG is committed to the idea that health promotion programs based on solid scientific research and principles gleaned from systematic program evaluation can save lives and prevent injuries, whether those programs are implemented by public health professionals, professional educators, community activists, or law enforcement officers. Learn more in our latest brochure.
We also provide data! Check out our data request flyer, or scan this QR Code.
Latest News
Quarterly Newsletter (What are we up to?)
Subscription details coming soon…
Our Rural Road County of the Year: Clay County
TSREG’s county of focus for the year is Clay County. During our third year of this project, we are excited to visit this county to begin meeting with local stakeholders, conducting a community survey, and collecting observational data. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to see more about our work with rural counties in Georgia!
Featured Stories
- Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group Secures Grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (November 7, 2024)
- Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Awards General Application Grant to the Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group (December 15, 2023)
- Navigating campus safely: Watch for Dawgs hosts Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day (September 8, 2023)
- Traffic safety researchers see dangers – and solutions – for rural residents (April 19, 2022)
- UGA College of Public Health’s Department of Health Promotion of Behavior Receives Grant from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (January 10, 2022)
How to Contact Us
Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group (TSREG)
141E Wright Hall, Health Sciences Campus
100 Foster Road
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
Phone: (706)542-2804
Fax: (706)542-4956
Email: [email protected]
Find us on social media at: 
Meet the TSREG Team
Faculty
- Dr. Heather Padilla, Director
Staff
- Lila Frazer Ralston, MPH, Program Coordinator
Students
- Sloane Sengson, CHES®, Graduate Research Assistant
- Alyssa Wright, Graduate Research Assistant
Join the Team
Sign up here to learn more about research, internship and volunteer opportunities available through TSREG.
Alumni
Below is a list of some of the faculty, staff and students who contributed to the research conducted in the Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group during their time at the University of Georgia.
| • Carol Poe, PhD | • Darrell Robinson, MS |
| • Ash Warnock, Ph.D. cand. | • Amanda McGill, MA |
| • Stuart Barnes, MPH | • Daniel Dallas, MPH |
| • Breanna Miller, MPH/MSW | • Jeffrey Porter |
| • Lauren Littleton, MPH | • Sarah Shelnutt, BSHP |
| • James Barlament, MA | • Ian Horvat, BSHP |
| • Lauren Littleton, MPH | • Courtnee Edgerston |
| • Whittney Clark | • Chrissy Proctor, MPH |
| • Laurie Lofton, BSFCS | • Karen Christenberry |
| • Stu Fors, Ph.D. | • Marilyn Romando |
| • Pearman Parker, MPH | • Jennifer Mitchell, BA |
| • Maggie Benson, MPH | • Erin Kirkbride, MEd |
| • Diane Cronin | • Brook Snoody, MPH |
| • Wayd Walker, JD, M.Ed. | • Jane McDonald, M.Ed. |
| • Colleen McCoy, BS | • Diana Vernisi, M.Ed. |
| • Elizabeth Yound, Ph.D. | • Lauren Bland, BSFCS |
| • Kelli Magee, MPH | • Rimo Carneiro, Ph.D. |
| • Allison Grimes, BS, OTR/L | • Rebecca Glover-Kudon, MSPH |
| • Michael Spencer, M.Ed. | • Wendy Riser, M.Ed. |
| • Jessica Middlebrooks, M.Ed. | • Ansley Kasha, MPH |
| • Elliot Daimler | • Sara Dietrich, MPH |
| • Lila Ralston, MPH |
Current Projects
Rural Roads Evaluation (Clay County) – TSREG is conducting a multi-year Rural Roads Evaluation to assess the needs, barriers, and opportunities of all road users (motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) in five Georgia counties. During the FFY 2024, TSREG is evaluating how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Clay County. The evaluation results will be shared with stakeholders, residents, and GOHS to inform effective community traffic safety programs in rural Georgia. Check out our “Latest News” (above) to see our recent travel!
Georgia Roadway Fatalities Database – TSREG is responsible for maintaining an annual Georgia Roadway Fatalities Database. Daily roadway fatality data is sent to TSREG from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and cross-referenced with the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS) for complete accuracy of reporting. The Preliminary Georgia Roadway Fatality Report is produced each year and delivered to GOHS. Check out our most recent report from Fatality data below (scroll down)!
Statewide Attitudinal Survey – TSREG is conducting a statewide survey where our team is developing, implementing, and analyzing a survey to assess the attitudes of drivers and vulnerable road users to hopefully improve the safety of Georgia’s roadways. Our findings following data collection and analysis will be delivered to GOHS to utilize for strategic planning of education and enforcement programming for the state.
UGA Vulnerable Road User Working Group: TSREG serves as a member of this group by regularly attending meetings and providing data and subject matter information as needed.
Task Teams – Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) helps to distinguish multiple key emphasis areas considered to be top contributing factors to crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities in Georgia. TSREG works collaboratively on ideas and future projects with the task teams and provides data support per request.
TSREG is involved with the following GOHS traffic safety task teams:
- Young Adult Drivers
- Motorcycle Safety
- Impaired Driving
- Occupant Protection
- Distracted Driving
- Vulnerable Road Users
- Commercial Motor Vehicle/Heavy Trucks
- Intersection Safety and Roadway Departure
- Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME)
- Older Drivers (55+ years)
- Traffic/Crash Records and Data Analysis
- CODES/Risk Analysis and Evaluations (Data Team)
Completed Projects per Federal Fiscal Year (FFY)
FYY 2023
Rural Roads Evaluation (Calhoun County) – As requested by the Georgia GOHS Director, Allen Poole, TSREG has designed and is conducting a multi-year Rural Roads Evaluation to assess the needs, barriers, and opportunities of all road users (motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) in five Georgia counties. During the FFY 2023, TSREG evaluated how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Calhoun County. The evaluation results was shared with stakeholders, residents, and GOHS to inform effective community traffic safety programs in rural Georgia.
UGA Bike and Pedestrian Day – In partnership with the UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness and UGA Transportation and Parking Services, TSREG helps host a Bike and Pedestrian Safety Day where we help create a collaborative and supportive environment for folks on campus to receive education, acquire safety resources and engage in conversation about traffic safety on campus. Read more here: https://watchfordawgs.uga.edu/
FFY 2022
Rural Roads Evaluation (Stewart County) – As requested by the Georgia GOHS Director, Allen Poole, TSREG has designed and is conducting a multi-year Rural Roads Evaluation to assess the needs, barriers, and opportunities of all road users (motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) in five Georgia counties. During the FFY 2022, TSREG evaluated how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Stewart County. The evaluation results was shared with stakeholders, residents, and GOHS to inform effective community traffic safety programs in rural Georgia.
UGA Bike and Pedestrian Day
FFY 2021
UGA Bike and Pedestrian Day
Publications per FFY
2024
2022
2023
Reports per FFY
2023
- FFY 2023 Revised Evaluation Report
- FFY 2023 Third Quarter Performance Report
- 2022 Preliminary Fatality Report
- Preliminary Rural Roads Evaluation Report – Calhoun County
2022
- 2021 Annual Report
- FFY 2021 Final Evaluation Report
- FFY 2021 Grading and Scoring Report
- FFY 2022 Preliminary Evaluation Report
- FFY 2022 Preliminary Performance Report
- FFY 2022 Second Quarter Performance Report
- FFY 2022 Revised Evaluation Report
- FFY 2022 Third Quarter Performance Report
- 2021 Preliminary Fatality Report
- Preliminary Rural Roads Evaluation Report- Stewart County
2023
- 2022 Annual Report
- FFY 2022 Final Evaluation Report
- FFY 2022 Grading and Scoring Report
- FFY 2023 Preliminary Evaluation Report
- FFY 2023 Preliminary Performance Report
- FFY 2023 Second Quarter Performance Report
Presentations per FFY
2024
- “2022 Preliminary Fatality Report Findings” – Ansley Kasha, MPH, MSW
- Presented to the GOHS Young Adult and CODES Task Teams (October 2023)
- “A Grassroots Approach to Building a Social Media Presence to Engage Key Stakeholders in the Field of Traffic Safety” – Sloane Sengson, CHES®
- Presented at the College of Public Health Research Day (February 2024)
2023
- “A Multi-level Rural Roads Evaluation from a Resident’s Perspective in One Georgia County” – Heather Padilla, PhD, RDN, LD
- Presented at the National Summit on Rural Road Safety (September 2023)
2022
- “Let’s Get Real: We Can’t Keep Doing the Same Thing & Expect Different Results” -Elliott Daimler, MA
- Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities, Chicago, Illinois (April 2022)
- “A Safe System Approach and the Road to Zero” -Ansley Kasha, MPH,MSW (Doc. #3)
2023
- “2021 Preliminary Fatality Report Findings” -Ansley Kasha, MPH,MSW
- Presented to the GOHS Young Adult Task Team (December 2022)
- “Rural Roads Evaluation- Year 1” -Heather Padilla, PhD, RDN, LD
- Presented to the GOHS CODES Task Team (December 2022)
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 4 and 5 Virtual Occupant Protection Boot Camp (April 2023)
Resources to Download
[Download a PDF of these resources here.]
Bicycle Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/2020_PedestriansandBicyclists_GTSFQuick.pdf
Child/Teen/Young Driver Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/child_passenger_safety/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/2020_YoungAdultDrivers_GTSFQuick.pdf
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/teen-drivers/
Motorcycle Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/mc/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/2020_Motorcycles_GTSFQuick.pdf
- https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/motorcycle-safety
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/motorcycles/
Occupant Protection (Seat Belts)
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/seatbelts/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2020_Occupant-Protection_GTSFQuick.pdf
Older Drivers
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/older_adult_drivers/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/2020_DriversAge55_GTSFQuick.pdf
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/older-drivers/
Pedestrian Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html
- https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/03/2020_PedestriansandBicyclists_GTSFQuick.pdf
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/pedestrians/
Risky Driving Behaviors
Impaired Driving (Drunk and Drug-Impaired)
Distracted Driving
-
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/Distracted_Driving/index.html
- https://www.nsc.org/getattachment/24fab695-e1e0-485d-88e2-8e9b4ffa6266/t-distraction%20on%20the%20roadways%20-%20166
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safetyissues/
distracted-driving/
Speeding
Drowsy Driving
Rural Roads
- https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/America%E2%80%99s%20Rural%20Roads%20-%20Beautiful%20and%20Deadly%20FNL.pdf
- https://ruralsafetycenter.org/#
Safe System Approach and Vision Zero
- https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SafeSystem
- https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/zerodeaths/docs/FHWA_SafeSystem_Brochure_V9_508_200717.pdf
- https://highways.dot.gov/safety/zero-deaths/vision-zero-cop/vision-zero-communitypractice
- https://www.nsc.org/road/resources/road-to-zero/road-to-zero-home
- https://nsccdn.azureedge.net/nsc.org/media/site-media/docs/safe-driving/rtzreport.pdf
Vehicles, Equipment, Technology
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/tires
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/air-bags
- https://checktoprotect.org/
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/15-passenger-vans
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/adapted-vehicles
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/driver-assistance-technologies
- https://www.nsc.org/getattachment/98e2932d-59a6-44d7-8894-ae1b93ec1411/tautomotive-safety-technology-133
- https://www.nsc.org/road/resources/my-car-does-what
