Teaching through t ickets: driver education in traffic court

1. Teaching through tickets:driver education in traffic court Steven A. Todd Multnomah County Circuit Court Steve.A.Todd@ojd.state.or.us

2. Teaching through tickets:driver education in traffic court Steven A. Todd Multnomah County Circuit Court Steve.A.Todd@ojd.state.or.us

3. The last time I was in Montana • More sheep than people • Gas less than 60 cents per gallon • No speed limit • Speed limit was based on opposite of IQ

4. The last time I was in Montana

5. The last time I was in Montana

6. The last time I was in Montana

7. The last time I was in Montana

8. The last time I was in Montana

9. The last time I was in Montana • No shoulder belts • No air bags • Lousy heater • No tape (or CD or MP3) • No pushbutton radio

10. The last time I was in Montana

11. The last time I was in Montana

12. The last time I was in Montana

13. Sept 11, 2001 3,000 people died….

14. Sept 11, 2001

15. Sept 11, 2001

16. Sept 11, 2001 Traffic safety conference in Bend, Oregon

17. Sept 11, 2001 Roadside crash on Mt. Hood

18. Roadside crash on Mt. Hood

19. Sept 11, 2001 NHTSA figures on deaths and injuries

20. Sept 11, 2001 3,000 died in terrorist attacks 3,629 died in vehicle crashes In September, 2001

21. Sept 11, 2001 3,629 died in vehicle crashes = Equivalent of TEN 747 planes full of passengers

22. Back to work Traffic court No one cares ! WHY ?

23. Traffic deaths • Traffic deaths occur individual incidents • Public unaware of facts • Drivers don’t see connection to behavior • Behavior not seen as criminal

24. Traffic education in court • Encouraged officers to talk to defendants • Explain traffic laws in court • Explain reasons for laws

25. Traffic education in court • Volume of cases • Most don’t attend court in person • Drivers too defensive to listen

26. “Can’t I go to traffic school” ? • Seatbelt classes • DUII victims panels • GDL class

27. “Can’t I go to traffic school” ? • Teach young drivers about GDL law • Teach and involve parents • Reach drivers BEFORE the first crash or accident

28. Why is traffic law important • Police should go after the “real” criminals • Police and judges too busy: “It’s just traffic court”

29. How do you catch the “real criminals” ? Traffic stops – Police and judges need to know traffic law even if that’s not their specialty Community policing relies on traffic stops

30. It’s just traffic court: • OSP TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO SEIZURE OF NEARLY 4 LBS OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE, ARREST OF ONE PERSON - INTERSTATE 5 NORTH OF MEDFORD (PHOTO)

31. It’s just traffic court: News Release from Oregon State PolicePosted on FlashAlert: March 10th, 2014 2:32 PMDownloadable file: Hernandez.jpg A 36-year old man was arrested by Oregon State Police (OSP) early Sunday morning during a traffic stop along Interstate 5 north of Medford when a trooper discovered approximately 3.8 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside the man's vehicle. The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation. 

32. It’s just traffic court: On March 9, 2014 at approximately 1:23 a.m., an OSP trooper stopped a 2014 Acura passenger car displaying California license plates for a speed violation. The trooper contacted the driver identified as ERICK SALVADOR HERNANDEZ-RUIZ, age 36, from Modesto, California. 

33. It’s just traffic court: Subsequent investigation related to the traffic stop led the trooper to locate and seize approximately 3.8 pounds of crystal methamphetamine concealed inside the car. Estimated value of the seized methamphetamine is $55,000. HERNANDEZ-RUIZ was arrested without incident and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine. Jackson County Jail website also indicates an ICE hold is placed on him.Photograph - Jackson County Sheriff's Office ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

34. Even criminals need drivers ed Start a driving school for bad guys…..

35. A high school chemistry teacher with medical bills and a former student with the "need for speed" turn to teaching Drivers Ed and other risky activities to raise money…

38. Adult driver education • Drivers ed continuing, lifetime process • Require retesting (written and driving) • Drivers manual revisions – • Highlight new laws • Online posting of manuals • Brochures on new laws included with driver license and vehicle registration

39. Adult driver education • Educational brochures in DMV offices • Educational brochures in insurance offices • Educational brochures in police stations • Educational brochures in courthouses • DMV manuals in courthouses

40. Motorcycle Safety • Polish your own driving skills by learning another vehicle – • Motorcycle • Boat • Bicycle

41. Motorcycle Safety

42. Motorcycle Safety TEAM OREGON MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

43. TEAM OREGON

44. TEAM OREGON

45. TODD’s RULES of Motorcycle Safety Don’t sneeze with visor down

46. TODD’s RULES of Motorcycle Safety Keep visor down the other 99% of the time (Avoid gnats in the teeth and bees in the bonnet)

47. TODD’s RULES of Motorcycle Safety • Braking is rarely an option…

48. Learn more about driving any vehicle • Peripheral vision • Shoulder checks • Signaling • Passing and lane width • Awareness of other vehicles • Awareness of bikes and pedestrians