Strategy #15
Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs
Develop selective traffic enforcement programs to enhance agency efficiency and operations in order to improve quality of life in local communities.
Background
Law enforcement agencies should direct their resources to the areas that maximize the intended results in achieving their mission of saving lives, reducing injuries, and protecting property. Selective traffic enforcement programs have proven to be one of the best tools to improve traffic safety and reduce crime.
Actions
- Gather the best data possible through partnerships with other agencies and their databases (for example, state and local transportation agencies and emergency medical services). The data may be more accurate and therefore more revealing.
- Identify the number and location of crashes by causal and contributing factors like time of day, weather, highway conditions, vehicle type, and other pertinent data.
- Establish the priority of enforcement to help save the most lives, and reduce severe injuries and the number of crashes based on the analysis of the data.
- Develop programs, such as highway task forces with local community involvement, focus teams, and enhanced enforcement, to address the unique aspects of a specific location or area, as well as the causal factors for the crashes, deaths, and injuries.
- Develop performance measurements that are directly related to enforcement priorities. This step will assist in assessing the success of the programs.
- Publicize the programs, the continuing enforcement efforts, and the end results of the enforcement programs. Ensure that the results are related to the previously identified performance measures.
- Augment existing traffic safety programs by seeking available sources of grant funding.
Benefits
- Reduction in fatalities, injuries and property damage resulting from traffic crashes.
- Reduction in criminal activity.
- Assists with maximizing resources.
- Excellent public relations tool.
- Will assist in garnering public support for traffic enforcement and increase voluntary compliance with the law.
Other Considerations
- Requires personnel resources.
- Program could be seen as a means to generate revenue, as from enhanced enforcement, for instance, and receive negative reaction from the public.
- Potential negative impact on traffic flow.
- Some enforcement programs offer the agency the prime opportunity to inform and educate the public.
- Guidelines for establishing selective traffic enforcement programs are available through your state’s highway safety office.