BACKGROUND

A decade-long downward trend in police traffic enforcement has been exacerbated by recent internal and external pressures on law enforcement agencies. The reduction in traffic enforcement activity may provide an opportunity to evaluate safety impacts when the enforcement treatment is reduced, and consequently be an indicator of the relative value associated with traffic enforcement.

Research is needed to develop a better understanding of the relationship between enforcement and safety outcomes, and to show how changes in enforcement activity and investments may or may not affect safety outcomes. Quantifying the safety outcomes of traffic enforcement can potentially contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the efficacy of enforcement. Outcomes can also help to calibrate enforcement efforts, favoring those that are more promising for given driving behaviors and violations.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research are to (1) assess how changes in traffic enforcement levels and type of enforcement activity correlate with corresponding changes in traffic-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities and (2) provide state highway safety offices (SHSOs) and other decision makers with practical tools to identify optimal levels of traffic enforcement to help reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. This research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge, helping to calibrate enforcement efforts for optimal effectiveness based on driving behaviors and specific violations, and with equity considerations.

STATUS: Research underway.