Texas has "H.A.D. Enough" with aggressive driving

Project Characteristics Program Areas Increased Traffic Law Enforcement High Profile Public Awareness Community Involvement Injury Prevention Targeted Audience Jurisdiction City Residents and Visitors City

Goals

• Stop the rise in traffic crashes and associated injuries and fatalities
• Reduce crashes related to aggressive driving
• Combine "specialized vehicle" enforcement activities with increased public awareness

Strategies

Working with the Lubbock Citizens Traffic Commission and the Lubbock City Council, an "Aggressive Driving" Task Force was recruited to conduct the public awareness campaign. This program includes non-traditional vehicles equipped with tinted glass, radar, video, and police radio. Special enforcement teams worked overtime at selected locations during targeted times of the day. The unmarked vehicle radios the back-up vehicles after following and videotaping the aggressive driver. Then, the regular patrol units issue the citations. If the violators choose deferred adjudication, the judge typically increases the length of deferral by several months.

The Task Force implemented strategies and activities to support enforcement efforts including developing an educational program for local high schools that utilizes both school police and local police in health classes. The business community, schools, and other community programs were involved in helping to communicate the need to stop aggressive driving habits.

Results

• The success of the pilot enforcement program led to a permanent program that started in December 2000
• The overall awareness of H.A.D. ENOUGH is reflected in the 10% decrease in total crashes through 6/02
• Through State Farm Insurance grant, a local one-day H.A.D. Conference brought professionals and student leaders together to review progress and recommend improvements