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Traffic Tech #83: Traffic Enforcement Saving Lives and Combating Crime


Number 83                                                             January 1995

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SAVING LIVES AND COMBATING CRIME

Law enforcement agencies across the country are taking steps to address their community's needs in combating crime. Limited personnel, increased requests for services, and rising violent crime rates are common in many communities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that a strong traffic enforcement program will reduce the daily toll of death and injury on our nation's highways and, at the same time, combat crime as well.

In 1993, 40,115 people died in motor vehicle crashes while 24,530 were victims of homicides. Motor vehicle crashes cost approximately $137 billion annually compared to $19 billion each year for victims of personal and household crimes. In the United States, one highway fatality occurs every 13 minutes; one murder occurs every 21 minutes.

NHTSA believes that traffic enforcement not only saves lives, injuries, and dollars, it also supplements many criminal enforcement activities. NHTSA has prepared a short brochure about traffic enforcement and crime, reporting facts from the Bureau of Justice Services, the FBI, and NHTSA. Twelve law enforcement agencies and state highway safety offices contributed to developing the brochure.

The brochure highlights successful traffic enforcement programs conducted throughout the country. There are statistics, facts, and anecdotal information. It also discusses specific traffic enforcement programs such as:

  • Selected Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP)
  • Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE)
  • Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP)
  • Saturation Patrols
  • Routine Traffic Enforcement

    The brochure can be used by law enforcement executives and elected public officials to show the relationship between traffic enforcement, crime, and public safety. For example, law enforcement officers who arrest drunk or drugged drivers prevent other deaths, injuries and violent crimes. In 1993, 17,461 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes; 56% of inmates jailed for violent crimes were drinking or using drugs when they committed their crime; and 13% of inmates committed offenses to get money for drugs. This brochure will help show how traffic enforcement can help in the fight against crime.

    For a copy of Saving Lives and Combating Crime, write to Police Traffic Services, NHTSA, NTS-41, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, or send a fax to (202) 366-7721.

    1994 Traffic Tech Issues

    January   May         August  

    No.59

    Police Costs Associated with Administrative License Revocation

    No.68

    Uniform Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services Data Conference

    No.76 Motor Vehicle Injury Prevention in Highway Safety and Public Health Agencies
    No.60 Reducing Young Drivers' Risk Taking Through Training

    No.69

    The Effects of Publicizing Insurance Sanctions as a Countermeasure for DWI

    No.77

    Evaluation of Vehicle Plate Sticker Laws in Oregon and Washington

    No.61 Innovative State and Community Traffic Safety Projects        
               

    February

      June   September  

    No.62

     

     

    Marijuana Effects on Actual Driving Performance

    No.70

     

    Developing A Designated Driver Program

    No.78

    A Resource Manual for Public Information and Education in Emergency Medical Services
    No. 63 ,Responses of Women and Men to Traffic Safety Messages

    No.71

     

    Personnel Allocation Manual and User's Guide: Municipal Police Departments    
        No.72 Fostering Proper Use of Toddler Safety Seats Through Law Enforcement and Education    
               

    March

      July   October  

    No.64

     

    Traffic Safety Summit II Final Report

    No.73

     

    Review of Community Traffic Safety Programs

    No.79

    Research Agenda for an Improved Novice Driver Education Program

    No.65

    Emergency Medical Services System Development: Results of the Statewide EMS Assessment Program

    No.74

     

    Safety Information Materials and Media Plans for Older Pedestrians    
        No.75 Revised Emergency Medical Technician-Basic: National Standard Curriculum    
               

    April

          November  

    No.66

     

    Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety: A Review of Key Program and Countermeasure Developments during the 1980's    

    No.80

     

    Computing a BAC Estimate
    No.67 WALK ALERT: A National Pedestrian  Safety Program Guide     No.81 Emergency Medical Services Outcomes Evaluation: An Examination of Key Issues and Future Directions



    U.S. Department of Transportation
    National Highway
    Traffic Safety
    Administration
    400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33
    Washington, DC 20590

    Traffic Tech is a publication to disseminate information about traffic safety programs, including evaluations, innovative programs, and new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish.

    If you would like to receive a copy contact:
    Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor,
    Evaluation Staff Traffic Safety Programs
    (202) 366-2759




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