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Explore the essential role of law enforcement in pedestrian safety, including data collection, traffic enforcement, public information and education. Learn about effective enforcement initiatives and access NHTSA's pedestrian enforcement resources.
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Law Enforcement Role in Pedestrian Safety Mike Geraci Director, Office of Safety Programs National Highway Traffic Safety Administration April 29, 2008
NHTSA’s Role in Pedestrian Safety • Develop pedestrian safety programs based on problem identification that focus on the behavioral and enforcement factors. • Conduct continuing research on pedestrian-related issues to improve countermeasures and address emerging issues. • Work with States and local agencies on implementing pedestrian safety programs. • Reducing pedestrian fatalities involves incorporating allthree E’s: education, enforcement and engineering.
Law Enforcement Role • Is It Addressed? • Data Collection and Analysis • Traffic Enforcement: • Reduces crashes, injuries and fatalities • Effective general deterrence for crime and traffic violations • Improved quality of life community-wide • Enforcement of vehicle and traffic laws Motor Vehicle - Speed - Yielding Right of Way - Right on Red, etc. Pedestrian - Crossing at intersections - Obeying traffic signals
Law Enforcement Role • Public Information and Education • Community relations • Educate community about pedestrian safety - Churches - Community Associations - Schools • Safe Routes to School Programs • International Walk To School Day
Effective Enforcement Initiatives • Speed Enforcement • Heed the Speed Pilot Study (AZ) • Objectives • Examine methods to “calm” streets where traditional calming can’t be used • Enhance engineering calming
Pilot Study Results • Significant drop in: • Average speed • Average speed above limit • Average speed of speeders • Number going more than 7 mph over • Expanding the Pilot Study • Conducting on a larger scale in Philadelphia, PA
Effective Enforcement InitiativesMiami Beach, FL • “Decoy” Pedestrian Crossing Enforcement Operation • High crash corridors in Miami Beach • In one year, police stopped 1,562 motorists failing to yield to pedestrians • 1,218 of these were stopped within the first two weeks of the program • Yielding rates rose from 3.3% to 27.8% and 18.2% to 34.1% • Program results were maintained in the absence of high levels of enforcement
NHTSA Pedestrian Enforcement Resources • Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Saves Lives – Police Roll Call DVD • Available online: mms://trinilearn.wmod.llnwd.net/a607/o1/NHTSA/PedestrianSafety.wmv • Coming Soon – Pedestrian Law Enforcement Training • Traffic law enforcement training available Summer 2009
For More Information Leah Preiss Pedestrian Safety Program Manager leah.preiss@dot.gov 202-366-4301