October 2O17 3 Encouraging Enforcement 4 Best Practices 6 Rural Seat Belt Use THE 7 Data and the LEL 8 Partner Spotlight 9 Tips to Testify 10 Training & Research 11 Awards & Events 12 Traffic Safety Calendar LELLaw Enforcement Improving Traffic Safety

Harris Blackwood (left), Director of the Georgia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, and Bill Whatley (at podium), Public Safety Unit Chief for the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, at a press conference to kick off Operation Southern Shield. Region 4 Launches Operation Southern Shield Five states collaborated on high-visibility enforcement this past summer.

By Chris Broome The initiative, which ran from July 17—23, was dubbed “Operation Southern Shield.” Participating Participating THIS PAST JULY, ALABAMA , states conducted aggressive enforcement of mul- states conducted , , South tiple traffic safety violations identified as contrib- aggressive Carolina Highway Patrol, and Tennessee Highway uting to the greatest number of vehicular-related enforcement of Patrol joined more than 500 local city and county injuries and deaths in the region. These violations multiple traffic agencies across Region 4 for a week-long high- included seat belt use, speeding in both urban and safety violations. visibility enforcement and awareness campaign rural settings, alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, targeting a variety of unsafe driving behaviors. and distracted driving.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 1 Operation Southern Shield

Law enforcement fatalities (16.0%). Four out of officers across the five states in the region Region 4 coordinated traffic cite the top three types (un- safety efforts restrained, alcohol-impaired during Operation driving and speed-related Southern Shield. fatalities) as their major chal- lenge areas. In 2015, the greatest percentage increases in fatalities were motorcyclist fatalities (+24.0%), speed- related fatalities (+12.3%), pedestrian fatalities (+10.2%), unrestrained fatalities (+8.2%), and alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (+6.6%). State public information officers post-operation briefing she stated, spent hundreds of hours prepar- “I have worked in highway safety In addition to exceptional press ing for multi-state press events for almost 20 years and I continue coverage across the participat- and developing social media to be astounded by what the state ing states, social media ac- campaigns to both educate and law enforcement professionals do companied this initiative by warn motorists of the week’s here. This program struck a chord providing individual state and events, as well as change driving with our state partners and it was law enforcement partners with behaviors for a lifetime. positive, practical and most ben- highway safety-themed mes- eficial for the traveling public.” sages for the motoring public. According Promotion and participation Video coverage of press events, to data from focused on overlapping jurisdic- Planning for Operation Southern as well as daily themed mes- NHTSA, tions covering many “hot spots.” Shield began in mid-January. sages related to aggressive Region 4 Prior to assembling law enforce- According to data from NHTSA, driving, distracted driving, child saw a 14.2% ment, each state was asked to Region 4 saw a 14.2% increase passenger and adult safety increase in belt use and the dangers of fatalities in provide relevant crash data for in fatalities in 2015, with nearly 2015, with analysis to determine the most 900 additional roadway deaths, impaired driving enabled both nearly 900 appropriate hot spots to target. In the second greatest increase public and private users to additional turn, law enforcement prepared among regions. Preliminary data comment, re-post and share roadway plans to initiate activity in those show this increase continuing at information. deaths, areas requiring the most atten- the same alarming rate, with an the second tion. The hot spots comprised additional 661 people killed in During the course of Operation greatest specific locations impacted by motor vehicle fatalities in 2016. Southern Shield, participating increase heavy summer vacation travel, a agencies wrote nearly 50,000 among time period when the rate of fatal Regional data from 2014 show citations, nearly half of which regions. and injury-causing crashes is that the top five types of motor were for speeding violations, highest in the Southeast. vehicle deaths in Region 4 were and the initiative generated unrestrained passenger vehicle more than 250 television, radio Carmen Hayes, Regional Adminis- occupant fatalities (28.1%), and print stories. trator for National Highway Traffic alcohol-impaired driving fatalities Safety Administration (NHTSA) (27.4%), speed-related fatali- Chris Broome is a Regional Region 4, expressed great enthu- ties (19.2%), pedestrian fatali- Program Manager and the siasm for the initiative. During a ties (16.0%) and motorcyclist Region 4 LEL for NHTSA.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 2 Encouraging

Vernon Betkey program manager Enforcement Efforts

Although the AN AURA OF NEGATIVITY HAS Although the economy has THE economy has pervaded police and communi- improved, law enforcement improved, law ty relations around the country agencies still seem to be in enforcement LELLaw Enforcement Improving Traffic Safety and there are mixed attitudes recovery mode, and dedicated agencies still across the law enforcement traffic enforcement is one area seem to be network regarding the role and in recovery that continues to suffer. In The LEL is published by the mode, and importance of traffic safety addition, the move toward re- National Law Enforcement dedicated traffic and enforcement as an integral newed community policing can Liaison Program, a project enforcement part of police patrol and special also drop traffic enforcement of the Governors Highway is one area operations. The attitude is to the bottom of the priority list. Safety Association, funded that continues impacting safety, as traffic en- Chief Casstevens’ retort to this by the National Highway to suffer. forcement is down and motor was to say that traffic enforce- Traffic Safety Administration. vehicle fatalities are up. In spite ment IS community policing. It 444 N. Capitol Street, NW, of the negativity, there are a is a prime example of interac- Suite 722, number of leaders that recog- tion with and connection to the Washington DC 20001-1534 nize the dilemma and want to community. Each traffic stop www.nlelp.org address the challenges. represents a proactive step to prevent crashes, deaths, facebook.com/nlelp I had the pleasure of listen- and associated injuries and is twitter.com/nlelp ing to a very refreshing and equivalent to a public service poignant speech at the GHSA announcement for the law en- program manager Vernon Betkey Annual Meeting from Chief forcement agency. Each traffic Steven Casstevens from the encounter has the potential of editor Buffalo Grove (IL) Police De- making a positive impression Amadie Hart partment. Chief Casstevens is about a negative experience. also the 3rd Vice President for creative Tony Frye Design the International Association The chief concluded by com- of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and paring a traffic stop to the Dis- technical advisory group has served on IACP’s Traffic ney customer service training Glenn Cramer Safety Committee for more experience by paraphrasing Ted Minall than 20 years. He is a true the philosophy: the customer Michael Morris highway safety advocate and is not always right, but let James Sanders champion. In his presentation, them be wrong with dignity Bill Sullivan Chief Casstevens looked at and create a positive impres- Richard Sullivan two root causes of the current sion that can be long and trend. One was the dip in the lasting. Excellent job Chief economy in 2008, which led Casstevens! Your message to massive reductions in police is a good mantra for fighting resources and services, and crime and/or enforcing traffic the other is social unrest that laws. Thanks for being a high- has swept the country over the way safety champion. past three years, which has impacted police and commu- nity relations.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 3 Best Practices

Lakewood PD Develops With that, our phlebotomy pro- The Value of Law a Phlebotomy Program gram was born. Enforcement Liaisons

By Chief Mike Zaro Launching the program was a By Glenn Cramer true team effort. Officer Bab- Oftentimes the THE BEST IDEAS FOR MY POLICE cock’s partners and supervisor in CHIEF MIKE ZARO’S ARTICLE best thing a chief department often come from the traffic unit, our legal advisor, about the Lakewood Police can do is get community members, other and members of the Washing- Department phlebotomy out of the way chiefs, or our own officers. Offi- program is a testament to the of a good idea. ton Traffic Safety Commission cer John Babcock is assigned to (WTSC) all recognized the merits chief and his staff for their the Lakewood (WA) Police De- of this program and did their part leadership, shared thinking partment traffic unit. Two years to see it through to fruition. My to collaborate, and persever- ago, Officer Babcock noted the role was that of advocate and ance to attain results. delay and logistical difficulties in salesman; when you approach drawing blood from DUI suspects your insurance company and tell The genesis of the program in the local hospital. them you want your officers to was a presentation I made two start drawing blood, it takes a bit years ago at a meeting of the As it stood, taking DUI arrestees of selling. Washington Impaired Driving to the hospital for a blood draw Advisory Council (WIDAC). The was the only option available to The team working on this found WTSC had asked me to provide every in that the legal authority already the WIDAC with information on Washington State. The arrest- existed for this through the State how other states were over- ing officer first had to write a Department of Health. It did not coming challenges in evidence warrant, get it signed by a judge, matter who drew the blood, as collection for impaired driving. A and then take the suspect to long as that person was certified representative of the Lakewood the hospital for the draw. The by the state of Washington. Six PD heard my presentation on warrant process alone can create of our officers volunteered for the value of Arizona and Idaho’s delays, and officers faced further the program and went through phlebotomy programs and potential delays at the hospital, the exact same training as the shared it with an officer in their including hospital staffing, where hospital phlebotomists. department. Once the Lake- only one phlebotomist may be wood PD decided to move for- working and not available, or Thanks to this team effort, we ward with their own phlebotomy in cases where the hospital are the first police department in program, they reached out to phlebotomist was either reluctant the state of Washington to have me for information about who to to draw blood or needed further officers certified to draw blood. contact and how to navigate the authorization because they were This is also a great example of development of their project. uncomfortable with the warrant the notion that oftentimes the process. best thing a chief can do is get Law enforcement liaisons out of the way of a good idea. provide value by creating de- Officer Babcock approached me pendable pathways to subject with the suggestion that officers For a look at Arizona’s law en- matter experts who can help be trained to do blood draws. His forcement phlebotomy program, complete critical tasks or pro- research showed that Arizona download the April 2016 issue vide access to resources. LELs and Idaho allowed officers to of The LEL. act as “knowledge brokers” for draw blood, and he noted that State Highway Safety Offices such a progrram would remove Chief Mike Zaro is Chief of (SHSOs) and law enforcement one unnecessary person from Police for the Lakewood Police agencies. An LEL can help the evidentiary chain of custody. Department. discover and evaluate informa-

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 4 Best Practices

tion and best practices to help to solicit law enforcement’s con- sessment, which found many SHSOs and law enforcement cerns, challenges and suggested of the same obstacles, but also agencies improve service and solutions regarding traffic safety saw concerns raised about the develop better solutions. engagement. NHTSA Region 2 complexity of DUI investiga- Administrator Mike Geraci shared tions. Their recommendations Our value as LELs is in being a that the primary obstacles identi- include a mix of short- and knowledgeable resource for oth- fied during the forums fell into long-term strategies that cover ers. Success in this comes from three main categories: leadership, operations, process and train- having a clear understanding of resources and operational deploy- ing improvements. what we do and why, coupled ment. Suggestions for overcoming with the relationships you have those obstacles include: Leadership was emphasized by built, and informed by your years several of the speakers. Both of experience and expertise in ●● Promoting that traffic retired Oklahoma County Sheriff the field of traffic safety. enforcement improves John Whetsel and Robert Ticer, quality of life in commu- Chief of Police for the Loveland Glenn Cramer is the NHTSA nities and aids in crime (CO) Police Department, said Region 10 LEL. reduction; that Sheriffs and Chiefs need to make traffic safety a priority ●● Encouraging the sharing within their office or department. of resources, equipment, Both law enforcement leaders Engaging Law personnel, and data; Enforcement in pointed to remarks made earlier Traffic Safety ●● Developing traffic safety in the day by Buffalo Grove (IL) alliances; Police Chief Steven Casste- By Amadie Hart vens that traffic enforcement is ●● Providing more flexibility crime prevention and noted that to conduct sustained en- Sheriffs and A KEY HIGHLIGHT OF THE RECENT efforts such as DDACTS (Data forcement efforts; and Chiefs need to Governors Highway Safety As- Driven Approaches to Crime and make traffic sociation (GHSA) 2017 Annual ●● Making traffic safety a Traffic Safety) not only provide safety a priority Meeting was the focus on how core value, and a part of for more effective enforcement within their office to encourage law enforcement an agency’s culture. initatives, they also help demon- or department. participation in efforts to make our strate the crime-stopping aspect In addition, John Marshall, Direc- roads safer. One of the workshop of traffic enforcement. tor of NHTSA’s Office of Safety sessions, “Re-Engaging Law En- Programs, highlighted a number forcement: From Rank and File to Chief Ticer challenged the law of initiatives the agency is pursu- Executive Leadership,” moderated enforcement officers in at- ing to improve officer safety and by Chuck DeWeese, Assistant tendance to consider seeking demonstrate appreciation and Commissioner of the New York leadership positions to help support for the difficult and dan- Governor’s Traffic Safety Com- “lead from the front” and make gerous work that law enforce- mittee, examined the issue from a traffic safety a priority in agen- ment does every day. number of perspectives, and pro- cies across the nation. Slides vided visibility for approaches that from the workshop are available Similarly, the WTSC conducted increase buy-in and participation for download from the GHSA an assessment of proactive traf- from officers on the ground. website. fic enforcement that began with a survey of partner law enforce- The National Highway Traffic Amadie Hart is a Commu- ment agencies and interviews Safety Administration (NHTSA) nications Consultant for the with a subset of those agencies. has been holding a series of law Governors Highway Safety WTSC Director Darrin Grondel enforcement partnership forums Association. shared the results of the as- across the country this past year

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 5 Engineering Solutions EMS and Enforcement Counter- Education measures

Increasing Seat Belt ●● Rural: An area with a popula- occupant protection enforcement Use in Rural Areas tion of fewer than 40,000 campaigns. FY 2016-17 data re- people, that has fewer than vealed unrestrained crashes and By Brett Reichart 100 people per square mile, incapacitating injuries declined and Elizabeth Farrington and where the largest city has during the three-week enforce- a population of fewer than ment period. FY 2016-17 INDIANA’S RURAL DEMONSTRA- 10,000 residents. data revealed tion Project (RDP) is an annual Acting by selecting an area of ●● Rural-Mixed: An area with a unrestrained grant program that provides Hoo- need according to your data, crashes and population between 40,000 sier law enforcement agencies and developing a plan providing incapacitating and 100,000 people, that has the ability to increase enforce- enforcement funding addressing injuries declined between 100-200 people per ment patrols in rural areas that specific traffic safety needs is during the square mile, and where the have consistently low seat belt a great place to start in includ- three-week largest city has a population enforcement usage rates. RDP, which began in ing underserved areas within between 10,000 and 30,000 period. FY 2012, is managed by the Traf- your state. This program was residents. fic Safety Division of the Indiana tweaked from its origins to Criminal Justice Institute. The selection of Rural and Rural- better address Indiana’s goals. Mixed counties for the RDP Additionally, this program was The purpose of RDP is the program is based on the rate of offered after funding opportuni- promotion of a coordinated effort unrestrained persons in crashes ties expired for the main occu- to improve occupant protection per 10,000 people. All law pant protection grants in Indiana strategies while reducing fatalities enforcement agencies within the as a method to recruit agencies and injuries in crashes related to top 30 counties that meet those into our traffic safety programs seat belt usage in rural areas. The criteria are eligible for grants to to promote positive results. This last two years have seen a more conduct enforcement activities approach has improved enforce- consistent selection of rural coun- over a 21-day period in the spring. ment in underserved areas of ties eligible for grant funding with Pre- and post-enforcement media the state and made people safer. the inclusion of more traditionally campaigns are also used to sup- conceptualized rural counties. port enforcement efforts. Brett Reichart is an Indiana LEL and Elizabeth Farrington The official criteria for classifica- The overarching aim of the pro- is a Research Associate with tion as a “Rural” or “Rural-Mixed” gram is to improve seat belt usage the Indiana Criminal Justice area include: in rural areas of the state through Institute.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 6 First Person

Data and the LEL By Wil Price

The data that IN EARLY OCTOBER, THE U.S. DEPART- The data that law enforcement officers col- law enforcement ment of Transportation and NHTSA lect in crash investigations, from property officers collect released fatal crash data for 2016. The damage-only to multiple fatalities, is critical in crash total number of people killed on our to all of us. It builds our understanding of investigations, highways rose from 35,092 in 2015 to the nature of crashes and paints a more from property accurate and complete picture that leads to damage-only 37,461 in 2016—a 5.6% increase. If you to multiple are an LEL you know we spend a lot of more effective countermeasures. Getting fatalities, time talking about data and how it affects that data in an accurate, complete, and is critical to decision-making and setting priorities. timely manner is something every LEL can all of us. With resources, staffing, and capacity of- contribute to through your interaction with ten stretched thin, law enforcement needs law enforcement organizations, officers, the very best data to make the greatest and leadership. operational impact in the field. Become familiar with the data at your For LELs, good data is the coin of the disposal—a good place to start is www. realm. Our planning, and operational nhtsa.gov/research-data. The informa- decision-making relies on data that is tion can enhance your ability to influence timely, accurate, and complete. But how action by conveying an understanding of we source that data and understanding the highway safety issues in your area. As where it comes from can be challenging. an LEL, you can make an impact through Information passes through a lot of hands continued advocacy for data collection and before it comes to NHTSA for analysis by talking about it with the people most and publication. We are often asked why directly involved in that process. The results it takes so long to get FARS (Fatality might not be immediately obvious, but it will Analysis Reporting System) data out. The make all the difference in the world. answer is complex; there are a lot of steps between the capture of data in the field by A planned webinar in 2018 will describe law enforcement officers and final coding the data collection and analysis process and analysis of that information. What is and how LELs can support that effort. clear, however, is that LELs need good data to be effective, and play an important Wil Price is a Highway Safety Specialist role in working with law enforcement to with the NHTSA Office of Enforcement reinforce the value of the collection and and Justice Services and is the Con- reporting of data from the field. tracting Officer Representative (COR) for the National Law Enforcement Liai- From time to time we still hear, “we only son Program. take crash reports to satisfy insurance companies.” Nothing could be further from the truth. It has been said that if you are not keeping score, then it is just practice.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 7 Partner

Operation CARE mission of CARE is to eliminate at the conference. The Okla- traffic deaths and injuries in sup- homa Highway Patrol (OHP) By James Sanders port of the Road to Zero coali- led a presentation about their tion through increased public Impaired Driving Enforcement A goal of OPERATION CARE (COMBINED awareness of traffic safety op- Program, which engages six full- CARE will be Accident Reduction Effort) was erations by all law enforcement time OHP Troopers as Impaired to establish launched in 1977 by Sergeant agencies. Its vision is to improve Driving Liaisons (IDLs) whose relationships Gary Ernst of the Michigan public safety and quality of life in function is to establish and with all law and First Sergeant our communities through the de- coordinate DUI checkpoints and enforcement agencies in Gene Neff of the Indiana State velopment of a national highway saturation patrols, in partner- an effort to Police to bring together patrol, system that is free from motor ship with local law enforcement coordinate enforcement and planning efforts vehicle crash fatalities and seri- agencies. Times and locations enforcement committed to the goal of crash ous injuries. for the enforcement efforts are activities to reduction. based on DUI crash data and enhance traffic Plans are underway for CARE special events. Over the past 18 safety during Operation CARE mobilizations to be aligned as a section of the months they have arrested more designated take place during designated State and Provincial Division of than 1,600 impaired drivers periods. holiday periods throughout the the International Association of through this collaborative effort. year, and have remained con- Chiefs of Police (IACP). A goal sistent as an effort to reduce of CARE will be to establish re- The location of the 2018 crashes and fatalities through lationships with all law enforce- CARE conference will be concentrated enforcement activi- ment agencies in an effort to co- announced soon and will be ties. The program has expanded ordinate enforcement activities posted on the IACP website. to include nearly all State Police to enhance traffic safety during With the proposed association and Highway Patrol agencies in designated periods. with the State and Provincial the . Division of IACP, CARE is look- The 2017 CARE conference ing forward to a bright future in CARE is now transforming its was held September 17—20 in reducing crashes and improv- mission and vision, and the initia- Oklahoma City, hosted by the ing highway safety. tive’s acronym has shifted to . Thirty- stand for “Crash Awareness and four State Police and Highway James Sanders is the NHTSA Reduction Efforts.” The revised Patrol agencies were represented Region 6 LEL.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 8 Tips to Testify

guilty beyond a reasonable evidence and clear and con- Standard doubt. However, in a civil case, vincing evidence—that may be of Proof the plaintiff must prove the used in some circumstances case by a preponderance of and types of cases. By Judge Earl G. Penrod the evidence. As noted, the standard of Even LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFI- “Beyond a reasonable doubt” proof will not impact the facts experienced law cers regularly testify in is defined in various ways, but to which the officer will testify enforcement criminal matters brought by it is not typically described in but the same evidence may officers may the government against an struggle to numeric terms. However, it is result in apparently inconsis- individual. Law enforcement the highest standard of proof tent results. Even experienced understand how may also be called upon to a defendant in our system of justice. At law enforcement officers may can be found to testify in a civil action, such as the risk of a circular oversim- struggle to understand how have committed a lawsuit for personal injuries plification, a case has been a defendant can be found to an act in a filed by one driver against an- proven beyond a reason- have committed an act in a civil case but other. In a number of jurisdic- able doubt when the jury (or civil case but be found not be found not tions, some traffic violations judge) believes that based on guilty for the same act in a guilty for the are treated as something of all of the evidence, there is criminal case. same act in a a hybrid, having some char- no reasonable doubt remain- criminal case. acteristics of both a criminal ing as to the defendant’s Tip to Testify: Understand proceeding and a civil lawsuit. guilt. Absolute certainty is not that the standard of proof Regardless of the nature of the standard and any remain- may lead to different out- the case, the facts to which ing doubt must be reasonable comes in different types the officer will testify will not and not based upon imagina- of cases. change, but the court proce- tion or speculation. dures may vary somewhat and The Honorable Earl G. some evidentiary issues will The preponderance of the Penrod is the Senior Judge be impacted by the consti- evidence standard utilized in for the Indiana Office of tutional rights every criminal civil cases and for minor traf- Court Services and the defendant enjoys. fic violations in some jurisdic- American Bar Association tions is a considerably lower Judicial Fellow in One of the major distinctions standard. The preponderance cooperation with NHTSA. between criminal and civil of the evidence may be de- cases is the standard of proof scribed as tilting the scales in Archives of past columns necessary for a party to pre- that party’s direction to some are available on the NLELP vail. In criminal cases, which measureable degree. website. Have a testimony are brought by the Prosecut- topic you would like to see ing/District/State Attorney in There are other burdens addressed? Contact Judge the name of the government, of proof—such as probable Penrod at penrod26d01@ the defendant must be proven cause standard, substantial msn.com.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 9 Training & Research

Traffic Deaths Jump 5.6%

Motorcyclist RECENT FIGURES FROM NHTSA and pedestrian show that 37,461 lives were lost deaths accounted on U.S. roads in 2016, an increase for more than a of 5.6 percent from the previous third of the year- year. NHTSA found that distracted to-year increase. driving and drowsy driving fatalities declined, while deaths related to other reckless behaviors–includ- ing speeding, alcohol impairment, and not wearing seat belts–contin- ued to increase. Motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths accounted for more than a third of the year-to- year increase. For more information, read NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts Research Note, 2016 Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview.

outlines federal safety efforts, This report was made possible by a grant from Report Focuses on tion Safety Institute (TSI) in ® possible funding sources, partner Bicyclist Safety Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, have A Right to the Road organizations, and promising Understanding & Addressing been announced. This course Bicyclist Safety A recent report from GHSA, A state and local programs and provides foundational knowl- Right to the Road: Understand- policies that communities can edge critical for LELs to be ing and Addressing Bicyclist use to encourage safer behavior effective at the state and local Safety, takes a hard look at what by all road users. GHSA hosted level, and to develop/enhance can be done to help stem the a webinar to review the report the skills necessary to engage rising tide of bicyclist fatalities. findings, arecording of which is with law enforcement leaders The report, authored by traf- available for viewing. in a meaningful way that can fic safety expert Pam Fischer, influence action. The course will analyzes national data to under- be offered in 2018 on Febru- stand fatal bicyclist-motor vehicle LEL Professional ary 27—March 1, May 15—17, crash characteristics, offering 30 Development Training August 14—16, and on an ad- actions that can help SHSOs and ditional date to be determined. local communities assess and DATES FOR FY 2018 SESSIONS OF For more information or to improve their current bicyclist the LEL Professional Develop- enroll, visit the TSI Catalog and safety programs. The report also ment Course at the Transporta- search for the keyword “LEL.”

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 10 Awards & Events

2017 From left: NATIONAL Adrian Lund; Robert Beidler, representing the Snohomish County LEL Sheriff’s Office; TRAINING Kay Brodbeck, CONFERENCE representing Teen Driver Impact Program; Mark National LEL Training Ezzell, representing Conference Watch for Me NC; Trenda McPherson; THE 2017 NATIONAL LEL TRAIN- William Hall; and Awards ing Conference is almost here. Luncheon master of The event, which will take place ceremonies Harris November 13—15 at the Mari- Blackwood. time Conference Center in Lin- thicum Heights, MD, is funded by NHTSA and organized by GHSA’s National LEL Program. William L. Hall, a Senior Research Highlights of the two-and-a-half GHSA Honors 2017 Associate with the University of day event include a panel of law Highway Safety North Carolina Highway Safety enforcement chiefs discussing Awards Winners Research Center; and Trenda traffic safety leadership and McPherson, State Bicycle and THREE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE how to influence action, a panel Pedestrian Safety Program Man- made a tremendous impact on discussion on integrating officer ager at the Florida Department improving highway safety and safety messaging and advocacy of Transportation Traffic Safety three programs tackling the na- into daily operations, a discus- Office. Additionally, three projects tion’s foremost highway safety sion about communications received Peter K. O’Rourke Spe- challenges were honored during strategies and tactics for maxi- cial Achievement Awards: the GHSA 2017 Highway Safety mizing the impact of messaging Awards Luncheon, held during the and coordinated efforts, and a ●● The Snohomish County organization’s 2017 Annual Meet- discussion about DUID and the Sheriff’s Office, ing in Louisville, Kentucky. impact of marijuana legaliza- ●● Mississippi’s Teen Driver tion on traffic safety. In addition, GHSA presented its most presti- Impact Program, and breakout sessions will allow gious honor, the James J. Howard attendees to participate in small ●● Watch for Me NC. Highway Safety Trailblazer Award, group brainstorming on law to Adrian K. Lund, Ph.D., President For more information on the enforcement engagement and of the Insurance Institute for High- awards and this year’s recipi- next steps for LEL programs. way Safety. Two individuals were ents, visit the Highway Safety recognized with the Kathryn J.R. Awards page on the GHSA For more information, visit the Swanson Public Service Award: website. conference webpage.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 11 Traffic Safety Calendar

across the country, participate NOVEMBER in high-quality training sessions on best practices, and hear from NOVEMBER 2 leading experts about the most WEBINAR: QUARTERLY pressing issues in law enforce- SHRP 2 NATIONAL TIM ment and traffic safety. NOV 24-DEC 12 RESPONDER TRAINING PROGRAM NOVEMBER 13-19 PRE-HOLIDAY SEASON IMPAIRED DRIVING This SHRP2 Solution provides TRAFFIC INCIDENT MESSAGING a common platform for training RESPONSE WEEK Primary Message: Buzzed the responder community, Every year hundreds of emer- Driving is Drunk Driving enhances quick clearance gency responders representing efforts and improves the safety fire, law enforcement, emergency NOVEMBER 29 of responders and motorists. medical services, towing and transportation agencies are LEL WEBINAR SERIES: NOVEMBER 8-9 struck and either injured or killed MOVE OVER BEST PRACTICES BELOW 100 BEST while responding. Help raise This session will provide infor- PRACTICES SYMPOSIUM awareness about the dangers mation on best practices and The Woodlands, TX emergency responders face at lessons learned on enforcing The goal of this one-and-a-half traffic incidents. day symposium is to empower Move Over laws and educating command-level officers with the NOVEMBER 24 motorists about the importance of these laws. tools and information they need THANKSGIVING to implement a lasting culture of HOLIDAY TRAVEL common sense safety. Primary Message: Buckle Up America. Every trip. Every time. DECEMBER NOVEMBER 13-15 Thanksgiving is one of the busi- NATIONAL LEL TRAINING est travel times of the year, and DECEMBER 13-31 CONFERENCE more people on the roadways HOLIDAY IMPAIRED Linthicum Heights, MD means the potential for more DRIVING MESSAGING This conference is designed to vehicle crashes. For those Ameri- & MOBILIZATION provide LELs with opportunities to cans who aren’t wearing a seat Primary Message: Drive Sober network with their counterparts belt, it can cost them their lives. or Get Pulled Over

A calendar of events, recordings of past webinars, newsletter archives and many more resources for LELs are available at www.nlelp.org. For campaign materials and tools to help you with your traffic safety marketing and messaging, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.

THE LEL | October 2017 Issue 12