The Safe On All Roads (SOAR) program was developed by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). The program’s goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on Indian reservations in Montana.
Motor vehicle crashes have a significant impact in Montana’s Indian Country.
American Indians comprise 6.2 percent of the population in Montana, but represent approximately 17 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in the state each year.
This traffic safety education program strives to provide strong and meaningful messages relevant to the individual culture of each community. Coordinators living and working in the community manage their local program and assist in developing appropriate educational materials.
Goals and Objectives
- Reduce tribal traffic fatalities.
- Focus on impaired driving prevention and occupant protection.
- Reduce incidence of impaired driving.
- Educate youth not to ride with a driver who is under the influence.
- Increase awareness of the value of seat belts and promote seat belt use. It is estimated that three out of every four child safety car seats are installed incorrectly.
SOAR provides education regarding proper use of child safety car seats.
SOAR provides free child safety car seats and proper installation to Tribal members and to anyone on public assistance such as WIC or SNAP.
Child safety car seats are distributed and installed at the St. Ignatius Fitness Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.