Motor vehicle injury prevention in eight American Indian/Alaska Native communities: results from the 2010–2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tribal Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention Program

The aim of the study is to increase seat belt (SB) use and reduce motor vehicle (MV) injuries and death; eight tribal communities implemented evidence-based strategies from the Guide to Community Preventive Services during 2010–2014. SB use was measured through direct observational surveys and traffic safety activity data. Traffic safety activities included enhanced enforcement campaign events, ongoing enforcement of SB laws, and media. The number of MV injuries (including fatal and non-fatal) was measured through MV crash data collected by police. Percentage change increases in SB use were observed in all eight projects; average annual increases of three projects were statistically significant (ranging from 10% to 43%). Four of the eight projects exceeded their goals for percentage change increases in SB use. Approximately 200 media events and 100 enforcement events focused on SB use were conducted across the eight projects. Five projects had an annual average of ≥100 SB use citations during the project period. MV injuries (fatal and non-fatal combined) significantly decreased in three projects (ranging from a 10% to 21% average annual decrease). Increases in SB use and decreases in the number of MV injuries can be achieved by tailoring evidence-based strategies to tribal communities. •Four projects exceeded their goals for percentage change increases in seat belt (SB) use.•SB use significantly increased in three projects (10–43% average annual increase).•Motor vehicle (MV) injuries significantly decreased in three projects (10–21% average annual decrease).•Proven strategies to increase SB use and decrease MV injury can be tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native communities.