Transcript Document 7208030

Traffic Safety
and
Community Organizations
James Hazel
for
Scope of the Problem
• Aggressive, Impaired and Careless Drivers
cause numerious accidents on Arizona
Roadways each year.
• Government and Community Agencies are
working to reduce the number of accidents
Causes of the Problem in
Arizona
• Traffic congestion leading to driver
frustration
• Newly constructed roadways that are
conducive to higher speeds
• A comparatively young driver population
The numbers show the extent
of the problem
• The following slides display the
statistics for a City of Mesa, Arizona
• Mesa is a suburb east of Phoenix
• There are roughly 400,000 people living
in Mesa
2004 Calendar Year Motor
Vehicle Totals for City of Mesa
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Fatal Crashes: 25
Total Fatalities: 27
Pedestrian vs. Motor Vehicle Involved Crashes: 123
Bicycle vs. Motor Vehicle Involved Crashes: 256
Total Crashes: 9,184
These are the totals occurring on our city streets alone.
This does not include state controlled highways.
For the first six
months of 2005,
the number of
traffic deaths has
already exceeded
.
the total for 2004 in
the City of Mesa
Cases filed in the Mesa
Municipal Court in the year
2004
• Civil Traffic charges filed = 28,498
• Drunken or impaired driving charges filed = 2,535
• Persons who completed the Defense Driving Course
to have traffic violations dismissed = 16,624 Adults +
889 Juveniles
• Civil traffic charges filed captured by Photo safety
equipment = 29,797
Needless Deaths…
• Violations of traffic laws
result in the needless death
of thousands of individuals
and the injury of many more
each year.
• Many of the deaths and
injuries would not have
occurred if drivers had
obeyed the existing traffic
laws. Jurisdictions around
the world have successfully
used photo-enforcement to
reduce the violent death and
injuries caused by these
violations.
Interesting National Safety
Council Statistics
According to NSC:
• There were 48,366 Traffic
Deaths in 2002
• Your odds of dying in a
traffic accident in 2002
were 1 in 5,953.
• Your odds of dying in your
lifetime of a traffic
accident are 1 in 77.
Community Organizations
and
Local Government
Organizations working to
improve traffic safety
• Government agencies including the police
and other agencies
• Community Organizations, including MADD,
National Safety Council, and community
organizations working to improve driver
safety
• For Profits corporations who supply traffic
safety devices
Government
Organizations Working
to Improve Traffic
Safety
.
Phoenix Police Department
Youth Alcohol Education and
Enforcement Squad
•
The Youth Alcohol Education
and Enforcement Squad
was formed in 1994 to combat
underage drinking in the City of
Phoenix.
•
The idea was to bring together
a group of officers who were
passionate about developing a
combined approach to help
young people understand the
effects of alcohol use while
conducting targeted
enforcement to reduce that use
and to reduce the availability of
alcohol to underage people.
Squad Objectives
 Conduct classroom
presentations for young drivers
in high schools.
 Conduct presentations for
Education Professionals
through a program called Drug
Identification Training for
Education Professionals
(DITEP).
 Squad members conduct a
Traffic Safety presentation to
highlight traffic laws and good
driving habits and another on
Drug Awareness that deals with
drugs and drug use issues that
young people face today.
Squad Programs
• DUI enforcement
• Cops-in-Shops
• Covert Underage
Buyer (CUB)
• Shoulder Tap
• Party Enforcement
Programs
• Along with other
enforcement efforts
designed to reduce
underage drinking
• Each program is intended to
address some particular
aspect of the overall issue,
whether that be underage
consumption or sale of
spirituous liquor to underage
people.
• The overall goal is to reduce
the number of underage
people involved serious or
fatal alcohol/drug-related
traffic collisions.
Accident Records Studies
• The purpose of studying traffic
accident records is to find measures
to increase vehicle safety and
reduce the frequency of accidents.
• Traffic accident prevention
programs are never completed.
They should be a continuous study
of accidents, violations, vehicle
registrations and remedial actions
taken.
Areas of Study
The study of records assists
in the following areas:
• Identifying high accident
rate locations, and taking
corrective action.
• Evaluating roadway design
factors.
• Planning remedial actions
and selective enforcement
programs.
• Evaluating these actions
and their effectiveness
through before and after
comparisons.
After the Study…
• These studies have helped
show that there is an inverse
relationship between violations,
citations and accidents. As
proper traffic citations increase,
accidents decrease.
• After the study is completed,
recommendations for
improvements are made. These
recommendations may include
increased vehicle inspection
standards, safety programs,
education programs or changes
in police operational
procedures.
Photo Traffic Enforcement
• Enforcement of red-light, rail,
speed, and toll laws through
the uses of photo-technology
is a practical and cost
effective method to reduce
traffic accidents.
• Current technology includes
both wet film and digital
systems which may be
deployed with knowledge
that public support for
stronger enforcement is
strong in most jurisdictions.
City of Phoenix Police and
Transportation Departments
Red Light Enforcement Programs
•April 1996 - Grant from FHWA - $25,000 – Enforcement
•Sept. 1999 - Grant from GOHS - $150,000 - Enforcement
intersection signs and media alerts
73 intersections
6239 citations
8% reduction in crashes afterwards
•July 2000 - Arizona has the highest number of red light running crashes and the city of Phoenix is #1
in the USA 1992-1998 data.
•August 2000 - The Mayor of Phoenix and Phoenix Police launch "Brake on Yellow...Stop on Red"
education and enforcement campaign. Weekly announcement 5 intersections targeted.
•Sept. 2001 - Red Light Cameras at 10 intersections
•Enforcement with Traffic Officers
•Police education via media
Traffic Safety Education
Traffic Education and Management Program
• The City of Mesa
Transportation Division is
dedicated to providing the
safest streets possible.
• Using state of the art
engineering concepts,
education and enforcement,
we continually strive to
improve the safety of Mesa's
streets.
• As part of this commitment,
we have created the
T.E.A.M. Program (Traffic
Education and
Management).
T.E.A.M. Program
• The T.E.A.M. Program
provides education
programs for four primary
groups:
1. Children as pedestrians
and passengers.
2. Neighborhoods
experiencing speed
issues.
3. The Community at large.
4. Young drivers (high
school students).
More about the T.E.A.M Program
• The T.E.A.M. Program
provides traffic safety
education to the
community at large by
participating in community
events, employer activities
and other civic gatherings.
• There are also several
programs targeting high
school students are
available from the
T.E.A.M. program.
Mesa Police Department
Traffic Section
• Traffic Section Mission
The Mesa Police Traffic
Section is charged with
ensuring that all streets of
this city are as safe as
possible for its citizens, by
enforcing all motor vehicle
laws and removing unsafe
drivers and vehicles from
our roadways.
Traffic Enforcement
• Enforcement
A major cause of vehicle collisions are from
excessive speed. The Traffic Section strives
to reduce these collisions through selective
enforcement in our residential areas and
school zones.
• The department has a growing photo safety
program that utilizes cameras to capture
violators who speed or run red lights. The
innovative equipment is provided by the
Lockheed Martin Company, and the program
is expanding to cover more intersections and
incorporate vehicles who run red lights when
making left turns.
AARP Driver Safety Program
• The AARP Driver Safety
Program is the nation's
first and largest
classroom refresher
course for drivers age
50 and older that has
helped millions of
drivers remain safe on
today's roads.
Driver Safety Class
• Tune up your driving skills and update your knowledge of
the rules of the road.
• Learn about normal age-related physical changes, and
how to adjust your driving to allow for these changes.
• Reduce your traffic violations, crashes, and chances for
injuries.
• Drive more safely.
• Get an insurance discount. Auto insurance companies in
most states provide a multiyear discount to AARP
graduates!
Arizona Governor's Office
of Highway Safety
• Their Problem:
Injury from motor vehicle
collisions is the leading cause of
death among U.S. residents
between ages 1-34. Injuries,
from all causes, are the leading
contributor to years of life lost
due to pre-mature death in the
country, and motor vehicle
collisions account for the largest
portion of injuries.
• Their Mission:
To reduce traffic fatalities and
injuries through multidisciplinary collaboration in
education, research, and
outreach.
• Their Aim:
To strengthen the capability of
state, county, and local
governments, academic
institutions, and local
community organizations to
enhance traffic safety through
research, curriculum and
material development, outreach,
and training for professionals
and students.
Areas of Research
• Alcohol-Involved
Collisions
• Child Passenger Safety
• Cost-Effectiveness of
Traffic Safety
Interventions
• Disparities in Traffic
Safety
• GIS and Crash Data
• International Traffic
Safety
• Intersection Crashes
• Older Drivers
• Pedestrian and Bicycle
Safety
• Public Health
Preparedness
• Railroad Crossings
• Seatbelt and Helmet Use
• Speeding
• Teenage Drivers
• Traffic Injuries and the
Global Burden of
Disease
Community Groups Efforts to
Improve Traffic Safety
National Safety Council
• The National Safety Council is a
nonprofit, nongovernmental, international
public service organization dedicated to
protecting life and promoting health.
• The NSC is a membership organization,
founded in 1913 and chartered by the
U.S. Congress in 1953.
• Members provide traffic safety courses
for court throughout the United States.
MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• MADD is a non-profit
organization whose
mission is: stop drunk
driving, support the
victims of this violent
crime, and prevent
underage drinking.
MADD
Victim Services
• MADD Arizona is the
provider of statewide victim
services and public
education throughout
Arizona where no local
chapter exists. Our focus is
to develop solutions to
reduce the problem of drunk
driving and underage
drinking throughout our
state.
MADD
Cooperation
• MADD Arizona partners with law enforcement,
businesses, individuals, corporations, and public agencies
to educate the public about the dangers of drinking and
driving.
PhotoCop
Violating Traffic Laws is a Snap!™
• PhotoCop™ is a private,
non-commercial web site
providing research,
management, and
technical information
about the photographic
enforcement of traffic
laws.
• PhotoCop is designed
for traffic, law
enforcement, and other
governmental agencies
involved in enforcing
traffic laws.
AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety
• The AAA Foundation for
Traffic Safety is dedicated
to saving lives and
reducing injuries on the
roads. It is a not-for-profit,
publicly-supported
charitable educational and
research organization.
AAA Research
• Since 1947, the Foundation
has funded over 110
research projects designed
to discover the causes of
traffic crashes, prevent them,
and minimize injuries when
they do occur.
• They have used this
research to develop dozens
of focused, high-impact
educational materials for
drivers, pedestrians,
bicyclists and other road
users.
Community Advisory Panel (CAP)
• Intel Arizona established
its Community Advisory
Panel (CAP) in 1993 to
advise Intel staff and
community groups on
ways improve the
community
• CAP works with local
governments and
community groups to
improve traffic safety
CAP Achievements
Accomplishments include:
• Improved community
awareness of traffic safety
• Promoting early installation
of a traffic signal at Queen
Creek and I-10 to address
traffic safety issues
Arizona Traffic Schools
“Approved Driving School Network”
Defensive Driving - Arizona drivers cited for a
minor traffic violation may be eligible to enroll
in a National Safety Council Defensive Driving
Course. If completed, the citation is dismissed
and no points are placed on the driving record.
Traffic Survival School - required for people
who accumulate too many points on their
driving records, and for some other major
driving violations (for example, DUI).
Arizona Traffic Schools
“Approved Driving School Network”
Driver's Education – They offer AAA's
"How to Drive" and "License to Learn"
driver education programs.
Fleet Training – This reduces accidents, and
insurance costs. The AAA "Driver
Improvement Program" can be tailored to
meet specific needs and is presented in a
PowerPoint and DVD format.
Community Traffic Safety
Teams (CTSTs)
• Community Traffic Safety
Teams (CTSTs) are locally
based groups of highway safety
advocates who are committed
to solving traffic safety
problems through a
comprehensive, multijurisdictional, multi-disciplinary
approach.
• Members include local city,
county, state and occasionally
federal agencies, as well as
private industry representatives
and local citizens.
CTST Programs
Programs Include
 National Walk Our Children
to School Day
 National School Bus Safety
Week
 Aggressive Driving
Awareness Month
 National Child Passenger
Safety Week
 Buckle Up Enforcement
Wave
 National Motorcycle Safety
Month
 Operation CARE
Mobilization
C.A.T.S. (Community
Advocates For Traffic Safety)
• CATS is another community service
program of the 100% drug-free club
that sponsors community
advocates for traffic safety.
• CATS is a youth program designed
to reduce the high risk of motor
vehicle crashes that is a leading
cause of death and injury amoung
young people age 15-20. CATS
demonstrates a peer advocacy
approach to traffic safety amoung
youth.
C.A.T.S. Groups
• Each group has an adult leader,
role model and a parent who care
about traffic safety to show the
support of adults in the community.
• CATS is aimed at African American
and Hispanic American youth
given its focus and program design
to address the needs of culturally
diverse youth.because it is geared
to the needs and interest of
culturally diverse youth.
Cooperation and Conflict
Community Cooperation
Evidenced by:
•Education Programs by community groups in the
schools and the community to improve driver safety
•Close cooperation between courts and driving schools
to to make driver safety programs easy to attend
Suggestions for Improved
Cooperation
• Develop a coordinating committee to
foster improved cooperation between all
organization dedicated to improving
traffic safety
• Government agencies should involve
community organization in the planning
of the traffic safety process
Evaluation of Efforts
Factors that limit evaluation of
program success
• A rapidly growing population
• Limited amount of resources to deal
with such a large problem
• The view in the West by citizens that
government should not interfere with
their lives, including their driving
behaviors
Can the problem be solved
• Despite the fact that traffic
deaths are up for 2005, the
level of government efforts to
reduce traffic death is also
increasing
• Driver must take the initiative
to be good and safe drivers
Suggestions For Improved Success of
Traffic Safety Programs
• Increased public education programs by
government agencies
• Increased public funding for traffic safety
community education
• Increased enforcement by police agencies of
serious traffic offenses
• Increased penalties for violator of major traffic
offenses
Web Sites
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ARRP: http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/driver_program/a2004-06-21whatisds.html
Governor's Office of Highway Safety: http://www.azgohs.state.az.us/red_light.html
Photo Radar Opponents: www.highwayrobbery.net
Phoenix Police Department: http://www.phoenix.gov/police/
Mesa Police Department: http://www.ci.mesa.az.us/police/default.asp
PhotoCop: www.photocop.com
American Automobile Association: www.aaa.com
National Safety Council: http://www.nsc.org/
MADD: www.madd.org/home
National Campaign to Stop Red Lighting
http://www.stopredlightrunning.com/html/newsrelease_phoenix_082703.htm
Transalt.org: http://www.transalt.org/campaigns/reclaiming/slowingspeeds.html
Smart Motorist: http://www.smartmotorist.com/red/red.htm