NCJ Number
155643
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 22-30
Date Published
1995
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This is an examination of traffic accidents, which some public officials consider the number one health problem in the United States today.
Abstract
Every year 44,000 people die in traffic accidents, compared to 18,000 murders. Every year there are 3.2 million traffic-related injuries, compared to 1.9 million injuries related to criminal incidents. Every year traffic accidents cost the United States $74 billion, compared to $13 billion for property and personal crimes. A traffic accident occurs every 12 minutes, while murder happens every 25 minutes. However, traffic problems do not command the media interest, public attention, or legislative support that crime-related problems do. It should be noted, however, that aggressive traffic enforcement can reduce and, frequently, prevent crime. Studies have shown that an aggressive traffic officer consistently makes more criminal arrests than his detective counterpart. An aggressive enforcement policy can work with community policing principles; that is: (1) Enlist citizen help to solve the problem; (2) Concentrate on the problems identified by citizens; (3) Emphasize proactive policing by focusing on specific problems instead of 911 calls; and (4) Encourage employees to come up with solutions. There is a source list for traffic enforcement.