Who We Are
The Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group (TSREG) is a working group funded since 2004 by grants from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. TSREG’s main mission is to evaluate over 100 traffic-safety grant recipients throughout the state of Georgia each year to monitor their effectiveness. TSREG also offers data support to state agencies, nonprofits, and other stakeholders in traffic safety; connects people and groups with the latest available information and resources; conducts research on crash data and road user attitudes and behaviors; and participates in a variety of traffic safety groups and initiatives.
What We Do
TSREG’s mission is to monitor the effectiveness of traffic safety programs to help reduce death and injury caused by roadway traffic crashes in Georgia.
Mission-related activities include:
- Providing program evaluation services to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
- Performing grant review and analysis services for health and safety programs
- Providing technical consultation and subject matter expertise on traffic safety issues
- Conducting research on attitudes, knowledge, and behavior related to traffic safety and on state and national crash, injury, and fatalities data
- Participating in state traffic safety task teams and state and national peer exchanges and working groups
- Presenting to academic and professional conferences, civic groups, and the general public on traffic-safety related topics
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.
We also provide data! Send data requests to [email protected] .
Latest News
Our Rural Road County of the Year: Dooly County
TSREG’s county of focus for the year is Dooly County. During our fourth 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)
- CPH honors outstanding faculty, staff, students & alumni in April (includes Dr. Padilla’s Award for Inclusive Excellence and promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, and Kennedy Camp’s Undergraduate Service Award–May 8, 2024)
- Why are American Drivers So Deadly? (New York Times article quoting Dr. Padilla, January 10, 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)
Reels:
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
- Dr. Liyuan (Leah) Wang, Co-Director (beginning in FFY 2026)
Staff
- Lila Frazer Ralston, MPH, Project Coordinator
Students
- Alyssa Wright, Graduate Research Assistant
- Kennedy Camp, Graduate Research Assistant
Join the Team
To learn more about research, internship and volunteer opportunities available through TSREG, contact us at [email protected].
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 | • Sloane Sengson Russell, MPH, CHES® |
Current Projects
Rural Roads Evaluation (Dooly 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 FFY 2025, TSREG is evaluating how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Dooly 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 more complete 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 Surveys – In FFY 2025, TSREG is conducting two statewide surveys to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Georgia road users on occupant protection (seat belts and child safety seats) and on vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, scooter riders, etc.). 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. We are proud to have contributed to the group’s successful Safe Roads and Streets For All (SS4A) grant application.
Task Teams – Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has identified key emphasis areas for reducing crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities in Georgia. TSREG works collaboratively on ideas and future projects with the task teams and provides data support on request.
TSREG is involved with the following GOHS traffic safety task teams:
- Young Adult Drivers (under 21 years)
- Motorcycle Safety
- Distracted Driving
- Vulnerable Road Users
- Older Drivers (55+ years)
- Traffic Records Coordinating Committee
- CODES/Risk Analysis and Evaluations (Data Team)
Completed Projects per Federal Fiscal Year (FFY)
FFY 2025
Presentations
The TSREG team presented to the 2025 State of the Public’s Health conference at UGA.
FFY 2024
Rural Roads Evaluation (Clay 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 FFY 2024, TSREG evaluated travel patterns and hazards in and around Clay County. Evaluation results were shared with GOHS, stakeholders and residents to inform effective community traffic safety programs and enable safe active transportation in rural Georgia.
Presentations
The TSREG team presented to the CODES and Young Adult Task Teams, the Lifesavers national traffic safety conference and the Federal Highway Safety Administration’s regional Rural Road Safety Peer Exchange.
Events
TSREG participated in UGA’s Operation Safe Drive and Watch for Dawgs, various state task team meetings, and the state Strategic Highway Safety Plan Summit.
Collaborations
TSREG members partnered with the UGA Vulnerable Road User Working Group, the CDC HOP Grant team, the Clearinghouse for Older Road User Safety, and the Embrace refugee birth support organization.
Data Support
TSREG provided data support to GOHS task teams, UGA researchers, the VRU working group, county planners, rural stakeholders and private citizens.
FFY 2023
Rural Roads Evaluation (Calhoun County) – During FFY 2023, TSREG evaluated how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Calhoun County. The evaluation results were 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 participated in a Bike and Pedestrian Safety Day where we helped 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) – During FFY 2022, TSREG evaluated how community stakeholders and residents travel into, through, and out of Stewart County. The evaluation results were 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
Reports per FFY
2025
- Program Areas (TSREG contribution to FFY 2024 Annual Report for NHTSA)
- FFY 2023 Final Evaluation
2024
- Program Areas (TSREG contribution to FFY 2023 Annual Report for NHTSA)
- FFY 2022 Final Evaluation
- FFY 2023 Scoring Report
- FFY 2023 Preliminary Evaluation
- FFY 2024 Preliminary Performance Report
- FFY 2023 Revised Evaluation
- Clay Co. Rural Road report
- Statewide Survey report (TSREG FFY 2024 Attitudinal…)
- Technical Assistance summary
- FFY 2024 2nd Quarter Report
- FFY 2024 3rd Quarter Report
- Preliminary 2023 Fatalities Report
2023
- Summary of Activities (TSREG contribution to FFY 2022 Annual Report for NHTSA)
- FFY 2021 Final Evaluation
- FFY 2022 Scoring and Grading Report
- FFY 2022 Preliminary Evaluation
- FFY 2023 Preliminary Performance Report
- FFY 2022 Revised Evaluation
- Calhoun Co. Rural Road report
- Data Request Report
- FFY 2023 2nd Quarter Report
- FFY 2023 3rd Quarter Report
- Preliminary 2022 Fatalities Report
Presentations per FFY
2025
- Traffic violence, bereavement and trauma are a threat to the mental health of Georgia’s children. (Lila Ralston, MPH; poster presentation for 2024 State of the Public’s Health conference)
2024
- Rural Roads Evaluation in Southwest Georgia: Leveraging Resources for Implementation of Solutions on Rural Roadways (Heather M. Padilla, PhD, RDN, LD; presented to FHWA Rural Roads Peer Exchange)
- A Grassroots Approach to Building a Social Media Presence to Engage Key Stakeholders (Sloane Sengson, CHES™ with Ansley Kasha, MPH, MSW; presented at 2024 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety and at CPH Research Day)
- 2022 Preliminary Fatality Report Findings (Ansley Kasha, MPH, MSW; presented to the GOHS Young Adult and CODES Task Teams)
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)
Resources to Download
Download a PDF of these resources here.
Bicycle Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety
- https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/index.html
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Pedestrian-and-Bike_QuickFacts_2022.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/child-passenger-safety/about/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/about/index.html
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Young-Drivers_QuickFacts_2022.pdf
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/teen-drivers/
Motorcycle Safety
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles
- https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/motorcycle-safety.html
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Motorcyclists_QuickFacts_2022.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
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Occupant-Protection_QuickFacts_2022.pdf
Older Drivers
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers
- https://www.cdc.gov/older-adult-drivers/about/index.html
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/55-Drivers-Quick-Facts_2022.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/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/pedestrian-safety.html
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Pedestrian-and-Bike_QuickFacts_2022.pdf
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/pedestrians/
Risky Driving Behaviors
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/improper-driving-and-road-rage/
- http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Risky-Driving_QuickFacts_2022.pdf
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-safety-issues/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://www.nsc.org/road/resources/road-to-zero/road-to-zero-home
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
