ATL Standard

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has been awarded $2,778,558 to bolster its injury prevention efforts. This funding, provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), is intended to support various programs aimed at enhancing public health and safety across the state.

A significant portion of the funds, amounting to $1,743,636.75, will be allocated to the Injury Prevention Program’s Child Occupant Safety Project (COSP). This initiative focuses on promoting child transportation safety throughout Georgia by providing child safety seats and education for caregivers. The program operates in over 140 counties and offers specialized training for healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and childcare providers.

Additionally, $214,890.84 will go to the Office of Health Indicators for Planning. This office processes data related to deaths, population statistics, hospital discharges, and emergency room visits. The information is accessible via a departmental data warehouse and OASIS—a web-based system offering public access to motor vehicle crash data through tables, trends, charts, and maps.

The Injury Prevention Program’s Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) will receive $343,955.46. CODES collaborates with multiple agencies to identify crash prevention opportunities by analyzing crash-related data linked with medical and financial records. The group also produces reports such as the Georgia Traffic Safety Facts and Quick Facts focusing on key areas within Georgia.

An allocation of $218,977.93 is earmarked for the 55+ Driver Safety Program under the Injury Prevention Program. This resource aids drivers over 55 in maintaining mobility and mental acuity as they age through presentations and workshops like the Yellow Dot Program and CarFit.

Further support amounting to $257,097.02 will be directed towards upgrading GEMSIS—the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Information System—and enhancing tools that measure care times for trauma patients statewide.

“Part of the GOHS mission is to assist in implementing programs and campaigns designed to prevent crashes and eliminate traffic deaths on our roads,” stated Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “GOHS will continue to develop new partnerships and continue existing ones to create, refine, and implement safety programs designed to help our state and nation reach our goal of zero traffic deaths.”

The grant year runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. In 2022 alone there were 1,797 motor vehicle fatalities in Georgia—a slight decrease from previous years but still placing Georgia fourth nationwide in terms of fatality numbers—with nearly half involving unrestrained passengers.