Municipal Court Recorder, March 2007:

 

Although statistics reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that traffic safety continues to improve within the country, traffic collision-related injuries and fatalities remain at a staggering high. Every year in America, traffic collisions are responsible for approximately four million emergency room visits, half a million hospitalizations, and 40,000 American deaths. Communities manage the costs of traffic crashes, including the economic and emotional impact on their citizens. Fortunately, every city has the opportunity to take steps to improve traffic safety within their community.

Research and statistics from NHTSA show important trends that provide a framework for evaluating possible tar-
gets for safety improvements across the country. In general, the majority (64%) of people killed or injured in crashes were drivers, males have a higher injury rate than females (70%), and 45% of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. In
Texas, 3,504 people died in 2005, down 2.2% from the previous year. However, Texas remains second to California in the number of traffic fatalities suffered per year, particularly among younger citizens. The impact hits hard in Texas cities since over 58% of all fatalities occurred on streets and roadways commonly considered to be under the control of municipalities or other local entities. This takes a tremendous economic toll; in Texas, motor vehicle crashes resulted in $19.8 billion in statewide costs in 2000, again, second to California.

Death and serious injury from traffic crashes affect everyone and require everyone to be accountable. Most motor vehicle injuries are no accident. Like most medical conditions, these injuries are predictable and can be prevented or controlled. Studies have proven that traffic laws combined with high visibility law enforcement does actually save lives. Even with statistics that show that wearing a safety belt can significantly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in motor vehicle crashes, 18% of passenger vehicle occupants are still not buckling up. Young males living in rural areas who drive pick-up trucks are especially inclined to drive without a seatbelt and are also at higher risk of being involved in fatal crashes. Targeted, statewide ad campaigns such as “Click it or Ticket” as well as increased traffic enforcement of seat belt laws serve as continuous reminders to the public of the necessity to buckle up. These measures attempt to combat careless behavior, and more than ever, people are using seat belts. Continued campaigning will only help to reinforce these fundamental safety precautions.

Traffic law enforcement is one of the most important factors in the crusade to increase safety on public streets and roadways. Enforcement can also be an effective tool for reducing criminal activity. The “Looking Beyond the Ticket” traffic program implemented in Peoria, Illinois increased criminal arrests by 34%, decreased traffic crashes by 12%, and increased traffic ticket issues by 16%, simply through a proactive effort to treat every traffic stop as a unique opportunity to improve traffic safety. A similar approach in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called the “Safe Streets” program helped to reduce crimes against people and property by five percent, traffic crashes by 12 percent, and traffic fatalities by nearly one-third by focusing on high crime and high collision areas within the city. Examples like these show that a thoughtful approach to traffic enforcement and a proactive mindset create measurable and sustainable results that benefit the entire community.

Improving traffic safety is not simply a matter for police departments to handle. It requires the involvement of your city governing body. Administrative staff, municipal judges, prosecutors, and the community must make a collaborative effort to help manage the public’s negative perception of traffic enforcement. Community opinions can be changed through education, public relations, and media coverage. Educating and involving your community are essential elements of a successful traffic enforcement program. Furthermore, your community can receive the benefits of improved traffic enforcement without requiring costly resources.

Numerous resources are available to assist cities in creating and managing traffic safety programs in their communities. The NHTSA website (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) holds valuable statistics and trends, and the Texas Department of Transportation’s site (www.dot.state.tx.us) contains information for maintaining a “safe community.” The Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s site (www.ghsa.org) is also an excellent resource for initiating a traffic enforcement program. With continued persistence and the initiative of every municipality, implementing a strong traffic law enforcement program will prevent and reduce motor vehicle injuries and deaths, reduce crime rates, and become an integral part of the community policing policy.

TMCEC encourages court personnel to log onto the TMCEC blog for traffic safety issues and share effective solutions in their communities on these important issues. Go to: http://municipaltrafficsafetyinitiative.blogspot.com.

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Noël Wells has worked at TMCEC since August 2006 as the Administrative Assistant. She is a film and liberal arts student at the University of Texas at Austin. This article was developed in collaboration with Paul Isham, an attorney in Lago Vista, who worked as the TMCEC Contract Attorney during the Summer 2006.