NCJ Number
45611
Date Published
1977
Length
57 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT UNDERTAKEN TO DEVELOP, TEST, AND EVALUATE A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR STATE PERSONNEL IN APPLYING NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHSTA) STANDARDS TO TRAFFIC CASE ADJUDICATION IS REPORTED.
Abstract
TRAINING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES INCLUDED IMPROVING STAFF UNDERSTANDING OF TRAFFIC COURT ADMINISTRATION AND GENERATING EVALUATIVE STAFF INPUT, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NATIONAL POLICIES AND STANDARDS AND TRAFFIC SAFETY, PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT MODERN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING INTERNAL OPERATIONS OF TRAFFIC COURTS, INCREASING INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND COOPERATIVE PLANNING (THUS IMPROVING EXTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAFFIC COURTS AND THE OVERALL TRAFFIC SYSTEM), AND FURTHERING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF TRAFFIC COURT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS AND INDIVIDUAL TRAFFIC COURTS. THE RESULTING TRAINING PACKAGE IS A 2-DAY, SMALL GROUP SESSION FOR IDENTIFYING AND ANALYZING PROBLEMS IN A STATE'S TRAFFIC CASE ADJUDICATION SYSTEM AND FOR DEVELOPING ACTION PLANS TO SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS. SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS WOULD INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES WITHIN THE ADJUDICATION SYSTEM SUCH AS JUDGES AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS, AS WELL AS PERSONS EXTERNAL TO THE SYSTEM SUCH AS LEGISLATORS. THE SEMINAR IS LED BY AN INSTRUCTOR WHO IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE TRAFFIC ADJUDICATION SYSTEM, FAMILIAR WITH THE MATERIAL TO BE DISCUSSED, AND EXPERT IN LEADING GROUP PROBLEMSOLVING SEMINARS. THE INSTRUCTOR IS SUPPORTED BY RESOURCE PERSONNEL WITH MORE SPECIALIZED AND DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT. TO TEST THESE MATERIALS, A PILOT SEMINAR WAS HELD IN KENTUCKY IN MARCH 1976 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OFFICE OF JUDICIAL PLANNING OF THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT. ALTHOUGH KENTUCKY HAD AT THE TIME NOT ADOPTED MOST OF NHSTA'S RELEVANT POLICIES AND STANDARDS, THE SEMINAR WAS DEEMED A SUCCESS BY PARTICIPANTS, NHSTA STAFF, AND PROJECT STAFF. MINOR CHANGES TO THE DRAFT MATERIALS WERE IDENTIFIED AND INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL VERSION. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT ADDITIONAL SEMINARS BE HELD TO FURTHER REFINE MATERIALS FOR MORE GENERAL USE. THE EVALUATION INSTRUMENT AND A LISTING OF SEMINAR BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--JAP)