TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Jeffrey S. Goldman, Police Department
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: February 21, 2017
Title
GRANT APPLICATION/FDOT/AGING ROAD USERS PROGRAM
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to Approve application for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) FY 17/18 Aging Road Users program. If awarded, the FDOT reserves the right to award any amount up to the requested total of $50,000.
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Background:
The Police Department is requesting approval to submit an application for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) FY 17/18 Aging Road Users program. Funding from this grant provides for overtime salary for officers that will engage in educational activities associated with this program.
As of 2015, the population of Delray Beach consists of 63,939 residents (U.S. Census Bureau Facts). According to the Census Bureau, 23.6% of the residents in Delray Beach are 65 years of age or older. According to FDOT, the elderly drivers are faced with declining physical and cognitive conditions, visual impairment, and decreased range of motion which hinders mobility. When elderly drivers are involved in a crash, loss of physical strength can increase chances of serious bodily injuries and death. In 2016, there were 3,803 crashes recorded in the City of Delray Beach. Of those 3,803 crashes, 23 of those drivers were cited to be re-examined. According to the FDOT's Highway Safety Matrix, in 2016 Delray Beach ranked 13th out of 99 cities in the county for cities with a population of 15,000-74,999 in regards to drivers over the age of 65. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths in the U.S. In 2015, more than 35,000 people died from motor vehicle crashes compared to 32,000 in 2014. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Based on information from FDOT, educating both elderly drivers and their families about the risk of driving while certain med...
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