The objective of this research is to produce a guide for the development and implementation of effective tribal crash reporting programs in order to improve tribal transportation safety planning and programs. The guide should assist state agencies in working with tribal law enforcement agencies and should include, at a minimum, the following:
(a) A critical review of the root causes of the issues and deficiencies related to tribal crash reporting systems and programs;
(b) Methods to convey the importance and benefits of implementing better crash reporting to tribal members, Indian Health Services, and other government bodies and social service agencies;
(c) Effective methods of communication, cooperation, and collaboration between state and tribal governments (see Special Note F);
(d) Recommendations on how to implement the crash reporting programs identified in this research;
(e) Methods that state and federal agencies can use to assist tribes on the implementation of programs identified in this research, including methods to access appropriate funding sources;
(f) Recommendations on how the implementation of effective tribal crash reporting systems can be used to improve transportation safety planning and programs, based on current best practices among tribes in the United States;
(g) Applicability to tribes across the United States, taking local laws, regulations, and cultural and political differences into account; and
(h) Methods to evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of the programs identified in the guide.
