County Health Division focuses on transportation safety

Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), under the leadership of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, continues its celebration of the 18th annual National Public Health Week (NPHW) this week by focusing on how to keep you and your family safe no matter what your mode of transportation. "Every day drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists face preventable dangers on the road. We need to design our communities with safe walking, biking and physical activity opportunities in mind," said Kathy Forzley, OCHD manager/health officer. "States with the highest levels of biking and walking also have the lowest levels of costly chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes." Start small... * Always buckle your seat belt no matter how short the trip and don't be shy about reminding others to do the same. * Texting can wait! Don't text while driving. Learn more at www.distraction.gov. * Never drive impaired or let friends or family drive impaired. If you know you'll be drinking alcohol, have a designated driver. * Be an alert pedestrian--always be mindful when using intersections. * Always wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, scooter, in-line skates, or bicycle. If you're a driver, be mindful that you're sharing the road with more vulnerable travelers. * Become familiar with the proper vehicle restraint systems for your child depending on his or her weight, height and age. For example, infants and toddlers through age 2 should be placed in rear-facing child safety seats, while children ages 2 to 4 should be placed in forward-facing child safety seats. Children 4 to 8 should be in a booster seat. Learn more at www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS. * Get involved with efforts to promote safe biking and walking to school, such as your local Safe Routes to School Program. Learn more at www.saferoutesmichigan.org. * If possible, choose to walk or bike to daily destinations, such as to work or school. Choosing biking or walking over driving is an easy way to integrate routine physical activity into your life. To learn more about the biking and walking trails available at Oakland County Parks and Recreation, go to www.destinationoakland.com. Think big... * Organize a community biking or walking group. Consider planning events that connect with other healthy opportunities, such as biking to a local farmers market or holding a community walking event. * Support complete streets policies, which ensure that transportation planners design communities with all users--of all ages and abilities--in mind. Learn more at www.michigancompletestreets.com. * Educate yourself on how biking and walking make our communities exercise-friendly, improve community cohesion, make our neighborhoods safer and reduce harmful motor vehicle pollution. Inclusive transportation planning is good for the public's health. For additional information on Health Division services or health related resources, find the division on Facebook at Public Health Oakland or follow it at twitter.com/publichealthOC. Residents can also call Nurse on Call at 1-800-888-5533 or visit www.oakgov.com/health. Published: Thu, Apr 4, 2013