NCJ Number
83372
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1982) Pages: 12-18,21-26,56-57
Date Published
1982
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A series of five articles examines such aspects of traffic law enforcement as a program to intensify the weighting and inspection of trucks to reduce traffic accidents, a training program for motorcycle officers, the first female motocycle officer in Utah, the 55 miles-per-hour speed limit, and the investigation of vehicular homicide.
Abstract
A demonstration program established by the Federal Highway Administration in Idaho to increase truck weighings and inspections to identify faulty equipment and excessive loads has revealed that a high proportion of trucks have faulty brakes or other faulty equipment. In addition, numerous driver violations have been found. A Florida program for motorcycle officers trains experienced officers in how to ride their machines better and in how to train their fellow officers in the correct, safe, and efficient operation of their motorcycles. The instructor training program is designed to reduce accidents and avoid liability for mistakes caused by inadequate training. (Utah's first female motorcycle officer is Lorraine Killpack, who was the class valedictorian at the Utah State Police Academy and also graduated from the Salt Lake Police Academy.) One article argues that the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act of 1974 should be reconsidered, because it is being widely ignored and is counterproductive to police effectiveness and policy-community relations; it also tends to alienate many of the Nation's interstate drivers. Gasoline consumption has been reduced due to changes in driving habits and in automobile design. Traffic accidents which may be vehicular homicides should be thoroughly investigated. Careful interviews of witnesses and scientific reconstruction of the accident will permit investigators to determine the specific type of crime they are investigating.