Madrina-Padrino teaches traffic safety to Hispanics
El Paso Times Staff
Article Launched: 06/07/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


By Aileen B. Flores

El Paso Times

The University of Texas Health Sciences Center partnered with Thomason Hospital in El Paso to implement the new Madrina-Padrino traffic safety program for Hispanics.

"A lot of people miss the traffic rules, especially in the rural areas. This may be because they don't understand the law," said Anna Red, injury-prevention technician at Thomason Hospital.

The project is aimed at educating Hispanics, particularly new immigrants, about traffic safety norms and laws, including matters related to drinking and impaired driving, safety belt use and child passenger safety, she said.

Nationwide, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among all people ages 4 to 33. Among Hispanics, it's the leading cause for ages 1 to 44, and children ages 5 to 12 are most at risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

UT Health Sciences Center officials said the project would enhance the health and wellness of El Pasoans.

According to Lizette Villarreal, coordinator of the Madrina-Padrino Traffic Safety Project, El Paso was a good fit for the project because more than 80 percent of El Pasoans are Hispanic.

The program was funded by the Texas Department of Transportation to help cities along the Texas-Mexico border.

The Madrina-Padrino program is looking for agencies willing to participate in the project.


Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com;546-6362.


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