About the CRASH Project (College Roads and Safety Habits)
The CRASH Project is an educational and awareness peer-to-peer program empowering college students to develop campaigns to address transportation safety on campus and in their communities. This program is open to student organizations, clubs, classes, and/or Greek life. Join other college campuses making a difference by participating in our program today!
Why participate? This program offers leadership experience, volunteer hours and addresses a major public safety concern. Car crashes are a leading cause of death and disability for college age students. 8.5% of all crash fatalities are among young adults aged 18 to 24 in New Jersey, despite accounting for only 5.1% of all licensed drivers. Walking can also be risky-1/3 of all traffic fatalities in NJ are pedestrians. With the walkability of campuses and the inexperience of young drivers, college students are at a particularly high risk for crashes. By participating in this program, you can raise awareness and help keep you and your friends safer on college roads.
How it works: Participating organizations or groups receive a $1,000 stipend to develop a transportation safety campaign through the school year. This year, we are pleased to announce that colleges will be competing against each other to win cash prizes. Incentives will be provided for completing the program requirements in addition to the competition. A BIANJ advisor will provide support and assistance every step of the way. Final projects will be showcased on our website and promoted to community partners.
Questions? Contact us or call 732-745-0200.
How It Works
Rowan University conducted a study to address the high volume of pedestrian and commuter traffic on campus, especially during the school year. They collaborated with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey to develop a safety campaign focusing on five key issues: pedestrian crossings outside crosswalks, distracted driving, seatbelt usage, yielding behavior at crosswalks, and stopping behavior at stop signs. The campaign included innovative traffic signs, awareness campaign t-shirts, and the distribution of pledges to promote safety. Data collected before and after the campaign showed positive results, including decreased pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks and improved drivers’ yielding and stopping behaviors.
Kean University partnered with the Criminal Justice Club to reach all students on campus. They aimed to raise awareness among students by involving various departments, including the Kean University Police Department. The Criminal Justice Club utilized their public Instagram page to share creative posts about impaired driving, avoiding distractions, sharing the road with bikers and pedestrians. They placed a special emphasis on pedestrian safety due to the large campus attendance. With support from the Kean University Police Department, the club organized a tabling event to gather pledge signatures and educate students. Their collaborative efforts aimed to educate and promote safe driving practices to students, professors, and faculty.
NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) implemented the S.L.O.W. Initiative, a campaign led by NJIT Public Safety and students, with a primary focus on pedestrian safety. The campaign aimed to educate pedestrians about crossing at crosswalks and avoiding potential hazards. The S.L.O.W. acronym, which stands for Stop, Listen, Observe, Walk, was used to teach pedestrians how to navigate the streets safely, resulting in fewer traffic accidents and pedestrian injuries. The campaign included a poster illustrating pedestrians crossing a crosswalk controlled by a video game controller. Additionally, tabling events were held in the student center, where items like wristbands, pens, and other small items were distributed to raise awareness.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick addressed various transportation safety concerns, focusing on pedestrian safety and impaired driving, which students identified as significant issues. To promote safety practices among students on the five university campuses in New Brunswick, Alcohol and Drug Peer Educators from the Health, Outreach, Promotion & Education department organized multiple tabling events from January through April. During these events, Peer Educators shared statistics, information on state laws, and best practices for road safety, including topics like designated drivers, cellular safety tips, distracted driving, and impaired driving. The project received support from the School of Public Health, The Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and the University Student Centers.
Get Started with Our CRASH Project Toolkit
To help you with the CRASH Project, the following is a collection of content, tools, and resources. Looking for something else? Contact Us »
Use the following links to learn more about the CRASH Project and your roles and responsibilities as a participating group.
- Application – due by January 19, 2024
- Mid-Term Update – due by March 1, 2024
- Final Update – due by May 1, 2024
Promoting your project is vital to spreading the word about your campaign and increasing its impact. Review the Media Tip Sheet Photo and Video Release Form.
Below are resources to help you get started with your project. Please use local, state, and national resources as you see fit for your campaign.
To enhance the CRASH Project, we’ve implemented an evaluation component developed by the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ. Groups will be asked to participate in an online evaluation at the end of the program.
