Website: www.iup.edu/rural-health-safety/center-for-transportation
The Center for Transportation focuses on improving safety through injury prevention by offering teacher certification in safety/driver education, driver training programs, and by coordinating community programs and events that promote safe driving. Injury is the leading cause of death for persons age 1 to 44. Unintentional motor vehicle traffic crashes remain the leading cause of injury death for those age 5 to 24 and the second leading cause of injury death for those age 1 to 4 and 25 and older.
Teacher certification in Safety/Driver Education is the last program of its kind in Pennsylvania that certifies teachers and instructors to teach driver education. The Driver Education Certification program requires completion of four core courses through cooperative effort with the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science.
From Novice Driver Education programs for beginning drivers to Advanced Driver Training programs in emergency driving techniques, including perceptual driving, the IRHS provides a cadre of courses, all designed to meet the needs of the student.
Community Traffic Safety projects are Community Health Education projects that are federally funded and contracted with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Maintenance and Operations. Originating at IUP in 1987, programs and trainings for corporations, schools, civic groups, law enforcement agencies, etc., include topics such as occupant protection, impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, safe driving near heavy trucks, motorcycles and other vulnerable road users, and safety while walking and bicycling, with emphasis on young drivers and mature drivers.
A secondary focus for the Center for Transportation is on health by reducing obesity and increasing physical activity. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity and overweight are the second leading causes of preventable death in the US, behind only tobacco use. Center staff teach courses in active transportation planning, complete walkability assessments, and promote walk- and bike-friendly places to foster healthy communities in Pennsylvania.