SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West is focused on bringing awareness to injury and trauma prevention during National Trauma Awareness Month throughout May. This year’s national theme is “Roadway Safety is No Accident.”

In 1988, May was designated as National Trauma Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan to bring awareness to injury prevention and trauma.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world each year. Car crashes are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death for all age groups globally.

This year, during National Trauma Awareness Month, the American Trauma Society (ATS) and The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) have partnered to focus on five prevention efforts, including: passenger advocacy, distracted driving, experience, impairment, and traffic safety.

Some ways to help roadway safety for you and your family are wearing seatbelts, making sure children are always properly buckled, driving without distractions, obeying speed limits, and not driving while impaired by alcohol or other substances that can impair your driving abilities.

Regional West encourages everyone to raise awareness and support prevention efforts for roadway safety.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.