NHTSA Awards Funds for New Technology Education in Traffic Court

NHTSA
July 31, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 38-98
July 31, 1998
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

TORONTO -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today awarded $30,000 to the American Bar Association (ABA) as part of a cooperative agreement to conduct a regional judicial education seminar on Technology in Traffic Court.

"Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority, and this effort will increase the effectiveness of the courts in enforcing traffic laws," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "The courts play a crucial role in improving traffic safety and reducing the risk to others from dangerous drivers."

On behalf of NHTSA, Deputy Administrator Philip Recht presented the funds to Judge Robert K. Pirraglia, chair of the ABA's Judicial Administration Division, at the ABA's annual business meeting in Toronto, Canada. The agreement marks the beginning of a newly formed partnership between NHTSA and the ABA. Judge Pirraglia is from Providence, R.I.

"Technology is being used more and more frequently in the enforcement of traffic laws. Judges wish to be well-informed about new technologies and evidentiary issues concerning the use of such technologies in court," Recht said. "This regional training, which was suggested by the judges themselves, will enable them to keep pace with advances in this ever-changing environment."

NHTSA and ABA are working to improve adjudication of traffic offenses and have chosen to focus first on traffic enforcement technology. Recht said that NHTSA looks forward to continuing this work with the ABA and in particular with the National Conference of Special Court Judges.