Wyoming Taps Into DLN's Expertise                            for Statewide Coalition

When the results of Wyoming's statewide safety belt survey came in at the lowest rate in the Rocky Mountain Region states, the state's Highway Safety Office decided to take action.  The first step to raising the safety belt use rate was the daunting task of forming a statewide Occupant Protection Coalition.  DLN Consulting, Inc. was called upon to assist the NHTSA Rocky Mountain Region for help.  Deb Nelson of DLN and Mary Damon of NHTSA in Denver facilitated the two-day organizational meeting for Wyoming.

Despite winter weather and icy roads in many parts of the state, about 60 people answered the Wyoming governor's call.  Representatives from state government, law enforcement agencies, education, public health, physicians associations, fire departments, communications, child passenger safety programs and other highway safety advocates met in Cheyenne to develop a statewide plan to increase safety belt use and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes.

Relying on their combined and extensive experience with coalition building and group facilitation, Nelson and Damon led the group through a series of activities and informative presentations to develop ground rules for the coalition, brainstorm solution plans and form committees.  Participants were divided into seven committees:  Adult Usage, Data & Evaluation, Outreach, Child Passenger Safety, Legislation & Regulation, Law Enforcement, and Communications.

Committee chairs were named and members were charged with identifying top priorities, and then developing an implementation plan to achieve the priorities.  The statewide coalition will continue to meet on a quarterly basis.

At the end of the two days, Nelson and Damon helped the Wyoming Highway Safety Office select a permanent facilitator for the newly-formed Occupant Protection Coalition.  By forming the coalition, the task of increasing safety belt use was effectively increased 15-fold from the four Highway Safety Office staff members.  Through DLN's assistance, Wyoming is well on its way to involving people from throughout the state in its highway safety plan.