Reducing motor vehicle crash deaths was one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century and good news for communities across the United States; however, these downward trends have suddenly been reversed. Preliminary data from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows fatalities in 2020 are up more than 7%, compared with 2019. This dramatic increase in roadway fatalities is the most significant surge since 2007. The increase occurred even though the total vehicle miles traveled reportedly decreased by 14%. Preliminary data for the first three months of 2021 show the increase in fatalities rose another 10.5%, while vehicle miles traveled decreased an additional 2.1%. These increases come as traffic stops and citations have decreased dramatically. Recent data reveals a traffic enforcement decline of more than 50% in some states.
MADD Law Enforcement Impaired Driving Roll Call Video Series
MADD’s 2021 Court Monitoring Report was recently released and can be found at this link. Of interest, nationally, the conviction rate is only 63% in the 17 states where MADD currently has court monitors. The report also lists state by state reports and all can be found here. .https://www.madd.org/the-solution/drunk-driving/court-monitoring/
MADD/Ipsos Poll: Consumers Support Drunk Driving Prevention Systems in Cars
https://www.prweb.com/releases/madd_ipsos_poll_consumers_support_drunk_driving_prevention_systems_in_cars/prweb17799040.htm
DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT TRAINING (DIDET)
https://www.sheriffs.org/trafficsafety/didet
Drug Impaired Driving Enforcement Training Opportunities Available
Impaired driving is one of the most serious problems on the roads today. As more states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, more law enforcement personnel must be trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and as Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). Training has proven to be an effective tool in the fight against impaired driving. Increasing the availability of ARIDE and DRE training to officers, prosecutors, and the judiciary is an important next step. Contracts will be awarded to eligible U.S. law enforcement agencies and organizations to deliver regional training. Read more.
NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2019
Overview of the 2019 Crash Investigation Sampling System (dot.gov)
MADD and Waymo’s Tie One On For Safety Holiday Campaign.
2021 National Lifesavers Conference Registration is Open – Registration is now open for the 2021 National Lifesavers Conference on Highway Safety Priorities, which will be held virtually.
Register here >
The IACP has also released many new resources:
- Traffic Enforcement During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Processing DUIs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Law Enforcement – includes considerations to take when making traffic stops or conducting traffic safety initiatives. Both resources were translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Arabic.
- Safe, Quick Clearance of Traffic Incidents toolkit – provides valuable information on adopting practices that facilitate the safe, quick clearance of traffic incidents.
- DRE State Coordinator Best Practices Guide to Managing an Effective DEC Program – contains guidelines and recommendations for state DRE coordinators to enhance their DEC Program.
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On November 12, NHTSA published a Request for Information (RFI) on available or late-stage technology under development for impaired driving detection and mitigation. The RFI’s goal is to better understand the state of emerging technologies, particularly those targeting alcohol-impaired driving. The notice requests information about the capabilities, limitations, and maturity of impaired driving technologies that are being researched, developed, or marketed.
Please share this notice with your members and stakeholders to encourage the broadest possible response to this request. The RFI can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/12/2020-24951/request-for-information-impaired-driving-technologies
