8/30/2008 - Carolina faculty learn about creating safer and more walkable communities through the Walk Wise, Drive Smart program

Walk Wise, Drive Smart is a community-based pedestrian safety program working to build community support for and awareness of senior-pedestrian safety issues. Funded by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Walk Wise, Drive Smart is coordinated by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center in partnership with the School of Medicine's Center for Aging and Health, the North Carolina Healthy Aging Research Network and the community of Hendersonville.

With more than 31 percent of Hendersonville's population age 65 and above, community and university partners have worked since 2000 to make Hendersonville more accommodating to its older adult population. The latest initiative, Walk Wise, Drive Smart, includes educational workshops and a series of walking audits of Hendersonville neighborhoods; gathers extensive community feedback through surveys and interviews; and identifies elements needed to implement a pedestrian safety plan that is responsive to Hendersonville's needs.

Following a discussion of the project with community members and UNC representatives, bus tour participants had the chance to walk a newly opened Walk Wise, Drive Smart route.

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