Traffic safety programs form an integral component of the effective, comprehensive law enforcement operation. Unfortunately, not all law enforcement executives recognize this important fact. Other law enforcement issues constantly compete with traffic safety for law enforcement’s attention, and too often traffic safety initiatives take a “back seat” to what are perceived as more important programs. Violent crime, gang violence and the proliferation of illegal narcotics are matters that, to many police executives, far outweigh the need to dedicate time to proactive traffic safety. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Many successful traffic safety initiatives have resulted not only in reductions in crashes, but in additional positive results that benefit our communities in many areas.
As one might expect, there are many approaches to traffic safety presently taken by law enforcement in the United States. As we enter the new millennium, emerging trends and new technology will be of the utmost importance. This document will serve as a guidebook for law enforcement executives and their organizations; it will catalog effective strategies and address promising practices for the future.
This document addresses elements and core components in human resources, management and technology issues, with a focus on effective traffic safety strategies. These individual strategies discuss background information, possible actions, benefits, and other considerations. The information contained in this document deals with both proven strategies and promising initiatives for the future.
A safe and efficient transportation system will provide positive results to our society, and effective traffic safety programs and strategies will ensure success in this endeavor. This document will serve as a menu of effective programs and a roadmap for the journey into a safer millennium.
Several organizations provided much valuable information relating to this project. As a result, the sub-committee reviewed great amounts of data in order to produce this document. Many of the suggestions in this document might not work for every agency. The idea is to consider the words on these pages and then to create the concept that will work for your department. No one can implement every strategy contained in this document. The particular approach or theory is up to the individual agency with the goal of choosing strategies that work for you and, thus, benefit your community.
Lastly, this document should be “timeless” and serve as a living document. Attention has been given to the future throughout. Obviously, the future cannot be absolutely predicted. The information contained in these pages deals with sound, effective, goal-producing strategies which will produce positive results both now and in the future. As a result, this document will be amended periodically in order to remain current.