WHEREAS, The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recognizes that traffic enforcement is an effective tool in the reduction of both traffic crashes and crime; and

WHEREAS, Traffic collisions account for more than 41,000 deaths annually, and

WHEREAS, Major contributing factors in the collisions are driver impairment, excessive speed and failure to use safety belts; and

WHEREAS, Many criminal justice recruits are not adequately trained in the techniques necessary to combat DUI, speed and safety belt enforcement; and

WHEREAS, There is a direct relationship between the professionally trained police officer in the areas of DUI, speed and occupant restraint and their ability to effectively and appropriately enforce the law; and

WHEREAS, Training programs are needed to establish and promote effective traffic enforcement techniques to assist officers in the identification and apprehension of traffic offenders; and

WHEREAS, In the United States there is not a standard recommended curriculum for training recruit officers in the field of traffic safety; and

WHEREAS, The IACP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have developed and continue to develop curriculum which facilitates the transfer of new technology and initiatives for traffic safety; and

WHEREAS, There is presently no acceptable means to enact a standard which will ensure training provided to recruits is within acceptable curriculum guidelines, and that the practice of providing a recruit with cursory training on how to detect impaired driving, speeding and occupant restraint violations, although common practice, is simply not acceptable; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), will work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a recommended acceptable course of study for traffic enforcement to include NHTSA’s curriculum in the areas of, but not limited to, Impaired Driving, speeding and occupant protection; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That reasonable hours of instruction shall be assigned to motor vehicle law, stopping motor vehicles, use of the uniform traffic ticket, accident investigation and death notification, along with the use of speed measurement devices; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the IACP encourages all criminal justice recruit training facilities to adhere to these standards; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the IACP encourages all criminal justice academies to provide the capability and expertise for such training in accordance with curriculum guidelines to all recruits; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the IACP will work with state police officer standards and training (POST) agencies to assure that all training facilities meet the recommended standards.

WHEREAS, Youthful age has been cited as one of the most important variables related to motor vehicle crash risk and consumption and the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors is widely recognized as a serious problem by both the criminal justice community and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in the United States, drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 account for just 7 percent of all drivers in this nation, yet are involved in 15 percent of all alcohol-related fatalities; and

WHEREAS, Many states have enacted “Zero Tolerance” laws intended to combat the problem of underage drinking and driving, by allowing police to detain minors suspected of driving after having consumed alcohol, for the purpose of determining their blood alcohol concentration; and

WHEREAS, Police agencies across the country have employed standard patrols, specialized enforcement details, public information and education campaigns, and other enforcement initiatives to effectively educate both the general public and the target age group as to the dangers of underage drinking and driving; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 104th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, encourages all members to adopt or expand existing enforcement and education programs which combat the deadly problem of underage drinking and driving; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That all states be encouraged to provide financial support to their respective state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, for the express purpose of expanding the activities and programs those police agencies undertake to combat underage drinking and driving, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That each state and province which has not adopted a Zero Tolerance statute be encouraged to do so, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the governor and legislative body of each state and province which has not yet adopted such a statute.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has supported activities and programs to increase safety belt usage and child passenger safety; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that increasing safety belt use to 75 percent will save the nation an additional $3.6 billion in associated economic costs and save nearly 1700 lives each year; and

WHEREAS, research has found that lap/shoulder safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat Passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent; and

WHEREAS, states which change from secondary to primary enforcement belt use laws experience an almost immediate 10-15 percentage point increase in belt use without the utilization of additional enforcement resources; and

WHEREAS, officer attitude surveys indicate that officers prefer primary laws and see secondary law as a major deterrent to issuing a citation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, endorses state primary safety belt use laws, and encourages its members to participate in activities associated with passing a primary law; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages all law enforcement agencies to increase public awareness of the non-use of occupant protection devices and enforcement of safety belt use laws; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP join with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the General Accounting Office, and other national and international safety groups in encouraging the passage of state primary safety belt use laws and in achieving increased safety belt use; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the 50 Governors and the Governor’s Representatives for Highway Safety and other appropriate national agencies and organizations.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes that speeding, both exceeding the posted limit and driving too fast for conditions, is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, speed is a factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes, killing 12,480 Americans and injuring over 583,000 people a year; and

WHEREAS, the economic cost to society of speed-related crashes is estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at more than $23 billion per year; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, 88 percent of speed-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate highways; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, 44 percent of intoxicated drivers with a BAC of 0.1 or greater involved in fatal crashes were speeding; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, 65 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were not using safety belts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages state and local jurisdictions to set reasonable speed limits based on the actual danger of speed to safe travel, and with consideration given to a multi-disciplinary review of highway design, highway use, traffic safety, and other appropriate factors; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages all law enforcement agencies to conduct strict speed enforcement initiatives, supported with focused public information, to reduce speed-related crashes, fatalities and injuries; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP join with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the General Accounting Office, and other national and international safety groups in encouraging the passage of state primary safety belt use laws and in achieving increased safety belt use; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) efforts to promote speed enforcement to improve traffic safety, and to educate the public on the dangers of speed.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, in 1963 adopted a resolution approving policy guidelines for police administrators in the enforcement of traffic laws and ordinances; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contracted the International Association of Chief’s of Police to produce Police Traffic Service (PTS) policies that could serve as a model and guide for all police agencies; and WHEREAS, the two manuals were merged into one document titled, “A Manual of Model Police Traffic Services Policies and Procedures,” and WHEREAS, the most recent printing of the Model Policy manual was in 1986, and an increase in the number of criminal subjects apprehended and reductions in crime; and

WHEREAS, many of the model policies and procedures need updating to reflect current problems experienced by police administrators; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, assign the updating of this manual to its Advisory Committee on Highway Safety, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the revised manual serve as the official policy of the IACP and that reasonable and timely updates and revisions made by the committee will be included in that policy, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that model policies developed by the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center will be in alignment with and not contradictory to official IACP policy.

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and operates with 10 regional office throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, there has been some concern voiced in Congress and within other planning considerations, to eliminate the regional offices and consolidate efforts in Washington; and

WHEREAS, the regional offices are a valuable resource to the states in providing direction in goals of national interest and community safety; and

WHEREAS, the regional offices also serve as a check and balance for the state’s highway safety plans, and can work to ensure compliance with the intent of Congress on how those plans are funded and implemented; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, transmit to the appropriate leadership of the Congress of the United States and the Administrators of the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recommendation to keep the NHTSA regional offices in place for the foreseeable future and continue funding allocations which adequately staff and support those offices.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the need for a standardized format in regard to license plates including the avoidance of duplicate alphanumeric character combinations and acceptable standards of readability; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the desirability for fully reflectorized forward and rear-mounted license plates to aid in vehicle identification; and

WHEREAS, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has developed and written a policy endorsing the concept of a uniform motor vehicle registration license plate system and addressing the issues above; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages its member jurisdictions to support the AAMVA policy and actively seek its adoption by its state’s motor vehicle administrators.

WHEREAS, police pursuits have become an increased focus of attention for public safety officials, the news media and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, an acceptable balance must be obtained between the capture of fleeing suspects and the responsibility of law enforcement to protect the general public from unnecessary risks; and

WHEREAS, there is no uniform reporting criteria or system in place to accurately account for all pursuits; and

WHEREAS, many agencies have excellent comprehensive policies in place while others have minimal or no policies at all dealing with pursuits; and

WHEREAS, some states have enacted serious penalties for consciously attempting to elude the police while others have not; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to adopt a generic “sample” policy that can serve as a minimum guideline for all agencies involved with pursuits; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages all agencies to adopt written policies governing pursuits, and that these policies contain at a minimum all the elements put forth in the IACP “sample” policy and that all members of the agency receive familiarization training in the policy; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) develop a uniform pursuit reporting criteria and form to accurately document pursuit involvements and results nationwide; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP and the NHTSA encourage the state legislatures to make it a criminal offense with severe punishments to evade arrest by intentionally failing to comply with the lawful order of a police officer to stop a motor vehicle; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP, NHTSA, and the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers work together to apply technology that will disable fleeing vehicles and minimize the need for pursuits; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP adopt the attached pursuit policy as its sample and that it be made part of the Manual of Model Police Traffic Services Policies and Procedures maintained by the Highway Safety Committee, and that this policy replace and rescind all prior IACP policies on this subject.

WHEREAS, the National Safety Council reports that in the United States there are nearly 12 million motor vehicle crashes which result in approximately 42,000 deaths, 2,000,000 disabling injuries, and a cost to society of $167.3 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, police officers from every jurisdiction are called upon to investigate or reconstruct such motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, it is important that police officers investigating and reconstructing such crashes correctly determine the causation factors involved in each such crash, in order to assess responsibility and to help prevent future crashes; and

WHEREAS, modern technology and engineering in the area of accident investigation and reconstruction has steadily improved over the years; and

WHEREAS, enhanced training of designated police officers as accident reconstruction investigators and specialists has been provided by many police agencies to police officers in their command; and

WHEREAS, the training and use of such specially trained police officers further the public interest in accurate assessment of responsibility for motor vehicle crashes, and prevention of future crashes; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages all members to adopt or expand existing accident reconstruction and investigation programs within their respective agencies, and to share innovative techniques and ideas within the law enforcement community, in order that the highest level of professionalism in the investigation and reporting of motor vehicle crashes may be maintained.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes that traffic enforcement is an effective tool in combating crime; and

WHEREAS, the United States is a highly mobile society; and

WHEREAS, most criminals use a vehicle in the commission of criminal activities; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that traffic enforcement activities can result in an increase in the number of criminal subjects apprehended and reductions in crime; and

WHEREAS, 37 percent of all criminal arrests by the Grand Prairie, Texas, Police Department were made during traffic enforcement activities; and

WHEREAS, the accused Oklahoma City bomber, serial killers and many other notorious criminals have been detected after committing motor vehicle violations; and

WHEREAS, the federal Highway Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program has resulted in a significant number of commercial vehicle drug interdiction arrests and seizures of contraband; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages state and local jurisdictions to incorporate traffic enforcement as a part of their overall enforcement program to help combat crime; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages the development of a training program to establish and promote effective traffic enforcement techniques to assist officers in the identification and apprehension of criminals and criminal activities; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) efforts to promote the use of traffic enforcement in saving lives, reducing injuries, and combating crime.

WHEREAS, the use of unmarked police vehicles for stopping traffic violators has recently been the subject of public and media controversy; and

WHEREAS, properly utilized, unmarked police vehicles have the potential to address traffic safety problems and detect habitual and dangerous, aggressive traffic violators; and

WHEREAS, there are instances where non-traffic officers such as detectives in unmarked police vehicles must intervene to stop serious ongoing traffic violations in order to protect other road users; and

WHEREAS, there are nevertheless serious concerns that should be addressed whenever unmarked police vehicles are used for traffic enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the Highway Safety Deskbook published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Highway Safety Advisory Committee thoroughly addresses the area of enforcement by unmarked police vehicles; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages any law enforcement agency considering the use of unmarked police vehicles for traffic enforcement to refer to the Highway Safety Deskbook for guidance in tactics and policy formulation.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has supported activities and programs to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicates that almost 42,000 deaths and more than 3 million injuries occur on our roads each year; and

WHEREAS, the continued use of the word “accident” to describe these events promotes the concept that they are like acts of God – outside of human influence and control; and

WHEREAS, in about 90 percent of these incidents, the proximate cause is driver error which equates to some violation of our motor vehicle codes; and

WHEREAS, although these motor vehicle crashes are unintentional, they are predictable and preventable; and

WHEREAS, the use of the word “accident” to describe these incidents work against bringing the appropriate resources to bear on this problem which represents a societal loss equivalent to 2.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, endorses the elimination of the use of the word “accident” to describe unintentional motor vehicle crashes; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP join the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration in their efforts to eliminate the use of the word “accident” to describe unintentional motor vehicle crashes from all federal reports and publications within the next five years, and the gradual elimination of the term from all state and local reports and publications; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the 50 Governors and Governor’s Representatives for Highway Safety, and other appropriate national agencies and organizations.