TREDS aims to promote roadway safety by:

• Developing and delivering training curriculum for professionals and the community
• Conducting research to inform and improve public policy

A major focus of TREDS is to prevent crash-related morbidity and mortality among older road users. The aging US population has increased the number of older drivers on the road with health impairments that can affect driving safety. The identification and management of drivers with compromised skills requires a multidisciplinary approach by medical and law professionals, family members and caregivers, and state and local regulatory agencies. TREDS provides training and technical assistance to these stakeholders to aid in the identification, assessment and referral of at-risk drivers.

Another key program area is distracted driving, which has become an increasingly important public safety concern. It joins alcohol and speeding as a leading cause of injury and fatal crashes. Education programs are available to the general public, first responders, and commercial drivers to reduce this dangerous behavior. TREDS also conducts research to inform interventions and policies to prevent distracted driving.

Driving under the influence (DUI), including cannabis and prescription medications, is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes. TREDS delivers training to both teens and adults in an effort to prevent DUI.

Pedestrian fatalities are at their highest rate in 30 years. TREDS offers pedestrian education to promote safe behaviors when using the roadways, including strategies for defensive walking.

TREDS is based at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health. TREDS operates under the leadership of Linda Hill, MD, MPH, Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Health and School of Medicine.

Support for TREDS comes from public and private sources, including a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.