FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2004
Contact: Jonathan Adkins
(202)789–0942
More States Weigh in on Speed Issue
Back to January 22, 2004 News Release
- Arizona – Traffic safety issues are a major concern throughout the State of Arizona. To combat aggressive driving behavior such as speeding, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has issued grants or equipment to several law enforcement agencies throughout the State. Speed enforcement is conducted via radar or laser speed measuring devices, motorcycle squads, window tint meters and unmarked vehicles. The goal is to reduce road fatalities and accidents by slowing motorists down to the indicated speeds on the State's roadways and highways. GOHS will again partner with the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies in Operation Safe Commute to enforce the speed limits in Arizona's busiest highways.
- Colorado – Colorado's DOT through its Safety and Traffic Engineering branch funds a Police Traffic Safety program. This program aids state and local law enforcement agencies, sheriff's offices and municipal police departments, in establishing and developing traffic enforcement units or selective traffic enforcement programs. These law enforcement agencies identify both high crash locations and associated improper driver actions within their jurisdictions. Once the locations and causes of crashes are identified, the funded units concentrate manpower, equipment and technology on increased enforcement. The goal of these activities is to reduce improper driver actions, including aggressive driving and excessive vehicle speed.
- Hawaii – The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued grants to the four county police departments for additional speed enforcement. The DOT also hired a private marketing firm to conduct a social marketing research project that will provide information on how to best reach drivers who speed.
- Maryland – The Maryland Highway Safety Office and law enforcement agencies across the state participate in the tri–jurisdictional Smooth Operator program, an anti–aggressive driving enforcement and public education and awareness campaign. Maryland law includes exceeding the posted speed limit as a primary element in its definition of aggressive driving. Speed enforcement on highways across Maryland is a key component of addressing aggressive driving. A statewide campaign focuses on four one–week enforcement waves during the summer months. During the 2003 campaign, over 105,000 citations and warnings were issued to motorists for aggressive driving violations (including speeding offenses) by Maryland law enforcement officers.
- South Dakota – Every year in South Dakota nearly 44 percent of the fatal and injury combined crashes involve two of the top five primary contributing factors: impaired driving and excessive speed. The South Dakota Office of Highway Safety is partnering with law enforcement statewide to combat speeding drivers. Funds are being provided for overtime high visibility enforcement of traffic laws combined with additional funds provided to law enforcement agencies to purchase radar equipment to insure law enforcement has the ability to detect and apprehend violators.
- Texas – Speed control continues to be a major part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) in Texas. The state funds 9 speed STEPs, plus the Department of Public Safety. Additionally, 32 local law enforcement agencies utilize STEPs as integral law enforcement programs. These STEPs generated almost 180,000 citations in 2003, and demonstrated an average of a 27 percent increase in speed compliance in their communities.
- Utah – Speed–related crashes continue to be a problem in Utah despite a general downward trend over the past ten years. In the most recent reporting year the state noted a slight increase in total speed related crashes, but fatal speed related crashes decreased by 23 percent. The state wants to see speed–related crashes continue to decrease and utilizes a varied approach to address the problem, including: saturation blitzes, enhanced motorcycle unit enforcement, Aero Bureau support, emphasis during regular enforcement shifts and utilizing overtime shifts as funding permits.
- Vermont – In Vermont, speed, lack of safety belts, and alcohol are recognized as the top three highway killers. Every law enforcement grant provided through the state highway safety office focuses on speed. Radar and laser speed detection equipment is awarded to departments participating in high–visibility enforcement and education campaigns (Click It or Ticket and You Drink, You Drive, You Lose). This equipment encourages local speed enforcement activities and provides agencies the tools to do it.
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The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)® is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202–789–0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.