WHEREAS, in the United States, highway traffic crashes claim more than 40,000 lives per year; and sixty percent of these fatalities occur in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, traffic crashes are a significant problem throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Intelligent Transportation Systems and automatic collision notifications systems can improve notification and response times and improve the flow of emergency information; and

WHEREAS, the lack of cell sites in some rural areas, the inability of systems to track precisely the location from which calls originate, and the interfacing of third party calltakers between 911 centers and distressed motorists create difficulties for responding law enforcement and emergency units; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP urges the continued enhancement of this technology, and that law enforcement be more closely involved in the planning and implementation of solutions to these problems in the United States and worldwide; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, to the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the Cellular Communications Industry Association, and to the Congressional Committees with oversight of transportation and wireless communications.

WHEREAS, increasing safety belt use is the most effective short-term way to significantly reduce deaths and injuries from traffic crashes, and safety belts reduce injuries in crashes involving drunk drivers, speeders, aggressive drivers, and vehicle-related factors, buckling up substantially reduces serious injuries and fatalities in traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, extensive research and program experience have determined the only proven way to significantly increase belt use is through strong and well-enforced laws; and

WHEREAS, the keys to increased seat belt use are sound public policies that support strong state belt use laws, encourage effective enforcement of those laws, and provide the resources necessary to carry out these activities, which in order to be successful must be accompanied by the demonstrated leadership of government officials at all levels; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police acknowledges the lifesaving benefits of increased seat belt use and recognizes the role law enforcement must play in this effort, supports the following strategies resulting from the 2001 Seat Belt Summit, including:

• Establishing primary enforcement authority in state safety belt use laws, strengthening state belt use laws to cover all passenger vehicle occupants, and providing meaningful penalties for non-compliance.
   
• Expanding highly visible and effective enforcement programs supported by coordinated paid advertising and news coverage that inform the public about enforcement activities.
   
• Implementing of effective diversity strategies and professional enforcement practices that encourage confidence in traffic stops and achieve high safety belt use in diverse communities.
   
• Encouraging the development and installation of effective vehicle systems to induce occupants to buckle up
• ; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police seek to have a direct effect on those strategies that involve law enforcement, and supports the following implementation actions:

• Educating all law enforcement officers and supervisors about the safety benefits of seat belt use and enforcement.
   
• Working toward incorporating safety belt enforcement into standard patrol activities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
   
• Conducting and publicizing observational surveys in coordination with enforcement activities.
   
• Implementing policies and strategies that achieve high seat belt usage in diverse communities.
   
• Training officers in communication skills, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the governors and legislative bodies of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, all Governor’s Representatives for Highway Safety, and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This resolution was also sponsored by the Highway Safety Committee and the Division of State and Provincial Police.

WHEREAS, the technological capability to record critical elements that occur prior to and during a motor vehicle crash including speed, direction, braking, seatbelt use, airbag deployment exists; and

WHEREAS, the data that can be recorded can be instrumental in determining causes of motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, the determination of the cause of a motor vehicle crash can lead to increased safety through improvements to vehicle and roadway design; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 108th Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario encourages the automotive industry to increase the use of vehicle crash data recording technology and to increase the ability of government accident reconstruction specialists to access and interpret the data.

WHEREAS, despite the best efforts of law enforcement and educational authorities, impaired driving remains a leading cause of criminal death in many nations, and impaired drivers account for a significant percentage of traffic related fatalities, injuries and crashes; and

WHEREAS, a percentage of drivers consume alcohol and/or other drugs in an amount that will lead to some level of impairment; and

WHEREAS, science and technology continue to evolve at a rapid rate; and

WHEREAS, the principles exist in computer and electrical engineering to control automotive ignition systems in a programmable manner; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the continued development of technology to prevent a motor vehicle being put into motion by a driver who is impaired by alcohol or other drugs and/or a motor vehicle in motion to continue in motion if an impaired driver is detected

WHEREAS, speed continues to be a major contributing factor in fatal and serious personal injury motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, stop sign and red light violations are contributing factors in the number of deaths and injuries on our streets and highways; and

WHEREAS, traffic volumes in some geographic areas have grown to the extent that during peak commuter hours, it often is impossible for law enforcement officers who observe violations to safely enter the traffic stream and apprehend violators; and

WHEREAS, automated traffic enforcement technology holds great promise to help control indiscriminate violations of the rules of the road in areas and at times where traffic volumes allow violators to go undetected and undeterred; and

WHEREAS, automated enforcement technologies, where placed appropriately, supplement and enhance traditional traffic enforcement methods; and

WHEREAS, public recognition requires awareness and acceptance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that those jurisdictions using or planning to implement automated traffic enforcement technologies strive to meet the following conditions: · Analyze engineering and environmental solutions prior to the placement of automated traffic enforcement technologies; · Implement appropriate public information and education campaigns; · Use the technologies at locations where crash statistics or citizen complaints indicate high levels of speeding or violation of traffic control devices and at times when traffic volumes or other conditions make it impractical to make apprehensions through traditional traffic enforcement methods; · Establish quality control and performance audit systems; and · Have the automated process in general managed by employees of the appropriate governmental agencies rather than by private vendors; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the development and research of model policies and practices regarding automated traffic enforcement technologies.

WHEREAS, the maintenance of the highest standards for motor vehicle highway traffic safety and the enforcement of a strict crime control program are extremely important for law enforcement officers who steadfastly patrol the four million miles of highways and roads within the United States; and

WHEREAS, heightened national security concerns and procedures emphasize the need for fast and reliable identification of vehicles by law enforcement officers and citizens alike; and

WHEREAS, traffic enforcement activities have proved to be invaluable in the detection and apprehension of individuals involved in terrorist activities; all means of initial identification, including front and rear fully reflective license plates, are essential; and

WHEREAS, motor vehicle thefts occur at the rate of 3,200 a day or 134 every hour, resulting in 1.1 million vehicles stolen annually, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Report; and

WHEREAS, the monetary losses from motor vehicle thefts exceed $7.5 billion annually, in addition to the resulting costs to citizens whose taxes support the law enforcement agencies responsible for recovering these vehicles; and

WHEREAS, motor vehicles are used in 70 percent of all of the serious crimes committed in the United States and the quick discovery of such vehicles can help solve these crimes; and

WHEREAS, front and rear, fully-reflective license plates are essential in the quick and accurate identification of motor vehicles even at highway speeds, especially since law enforcement officers often meet stolen vehicles on the highway, as well as overtaking them; and

WHEREAS, front and rear, fully-reflective license plates serve as a significant safety device, warning motorists of the presence of a vehicle that is disabled or that otherwise lacks sufficient headlights or taillights to be observed at a safe distance and in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, it is important to keep license plates legible, and maintain the reflective qualities which are relied on by police and citizens alike for law enforcement and traffic safety; and

WHEREAS, reissuance of license plates serves as a deterrent to those who would avoid registration and payment of motor vehicle fees; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), recognizing that the efficient and reliable identification of vehicles is a critical element of national and state security procedures, supports the issuance of fully-reflective, front and rear license plates with clearly identifiable registration numbers and state of registration, and urges that states periodically issue new plates to maintain effective vehicle identification and to protect the security and integrity of the vehicle registration process.

WHEREAS, the latest statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Calendar Year 2000 reveal that a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash in the United States every 111 minutes; and

WHEREAS, the latest statistics from Transport Canada for the Calendar Year 1999 reveal that fourteen percent of the 2,969 persons killed in Canada were pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, almost one-fourth of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 killed in traffic crashes in the United States were pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, eighteen percent of all United States’ traffic fatalities under age 16 were pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, older pedestrians (ages 70+) accounted for seventeen percent of all pedestrian fatalities in the United States, and seniors are the fastest growing age group in this country; and

WHEREAS, alcohol involvement was reported in forty-seven percent of the United States’ pedestrian fatalities—whether it was the driver or the pedestrian—and in forty-one percent of fatally injured pedestrians in Canada; and

WHEREAS, new and innovative technology that is being designed to enhance pedestrian safety, e.g., crosswalk timing monitors, is supported by law enforcement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that states and provinces will attempt to educate and implement pedestrian collision-prevention programs and enforce the pedestrian traffic laws nationwide to reduce the incidence of pedestrian collisions and injuries. All U.S. figures used herein are based upon those obtained from NHTSA for the Calendar Year 2000. All Canadian figures used herein are based upon those obtained from Transport Canada for the Calendar Year 1999

WHEREAS, public safety is the highest priority of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, alcohol-related and speed-related fatalities for all persons continue to be a concern; and

WHEREAS, the deaths of law enforcement officers in crashes caused by impaired drivers and involving speed have increased significantly; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that law enforcement executives ensure their agencies adopt and employ traffic enforcement policies that emphasize strict enforcement in these areas, not only for public safety, but also for police officer survival.

WHEREAS, traffic enforcement is necessary to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people, vehicles, and goods along the streets, roadways and highways of the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, commercial vehicle inspection and enforcement are necessary to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods along the streets, roadways and highways of the United States and Canada, as well as the protection of the surface transportation infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, traffic crashes and other highway incidents require response and investigation by law enforcement officers and other emergency responders; and

WHEREAS, streets, roadways and highways have not been engineered for the safety of law enforcement officers and other emergency responders while they are conducting crash investigations, commercial vehicle inspection and enforcement, traffic enforcement; or responding to other highway incidents; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are exposed to significant dangers during traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement activities, during commercial vehicle inspections, during crash investigations, and during other highway incidents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Transport Canada, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) include the aforementioned factors and consider, as well, pull-over/safety lanes and observation and enforcement platforms when they create standards for the construction of streets, roadways and highways; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the safety of law enforcement officers and other emergency responders while they are performing their responsibilities on streets, roadways and highways become an integral part of, and a major priority during, the strategic planning process, as well as the comprehensive safety strategies of the FHWA, Transport Canada, FMCSA and NHTSA; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this priority be relayed to the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and other related organizations.

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation has adopted a goal of reducing traffic fatalities to 1.0 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, or a reduction of 9,000 fatalities by the end of 2008; and

WHEREAS, at-risk drivers pose a threat to highway safety and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) promotes and implements programs to target speed violators, impaired drivers and unbelted drivers; and

WHEREAS, the IACP Highway Safety Committee has led efforts to develop and implement traffic safety programs in many law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, the IACP Highway Safety Committee has assisted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in developing programs and long term strategies for highway safety; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police continues to work cooperatively with federal, state and provincial agencies, highway safety organizations, state departments of transportation and others to help implement such programs related to highway safety; and

WHEREAS, working in partnership with federal, state, and provincial agencies and highway safety organizations, IACP and its members actively assist in the execution of impaired and occupant protection programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that IACP supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s national fatality goal of 1.0 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled or a reduction of 9,000 fatalities by the end of calendar year 2008.

WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects data on law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, a significant number of law enforcement officers are killed each year during motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, the data collected on these types of deaths is insufficient for a comprehensive analysis and subsequent review of policies and procedures; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the FBI, after collaboration with the IACP’s Highway Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), collect additional data concerning the deaths of law enforcement officers involved in roadside traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, commercial vehicle inspections, and other highway incidents; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the collected data be analyzed by NHTSA or its contractee; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the data analysis be provided to the IACP’s Highway Safety Committee for consideration in revising the Manual of Police Traffic Services Policies and Procedures, the Highway Safety Desk Book, and the Traffic Safety Strategies for Law Enforcement Executives.

WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies rely upon motor vehicles as a primary means to manage traffic, to enforce traffic laws, to respond to calls for service, and to protect incident scenes; and

WHEREAS, each law enforcement jurisdiction reflects its ownership and equips its vehicles using varying schemes; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers rely upon the safety of their issued equipment, as well as upon the use of designated emergency vehicles, to fulfill professionally their sworn responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, officer safety and the safety of the motoring public are dependent upon the identification and proper equipping of emergency vehicles; and

WHEREAS, “the manufacturers of equipment/accessories used to enhance the safety and visibility of law enforcement and other emergency vehicles” (hereinafter referred to simply as “the manufacturers”) have the expertise, equipment, and research facilities to conduct safety testing, studies and evaluations of their own product(s), both alone and in conjunction with other products and with law enforcement vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the manufacturers have an ethical responsibility to ensure the mounting, installation and/or storage of their equipment/accessories do not compromise the safety components or the electrical systems integral to law enforcement vehicles; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the manufacturers be called upon to conduct safety testing, studies and evaluations of their product(s), both alone and in conjunction with other products; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that testing of law enforcement vehicles include crash testing at speeds up to, and including, 75 miles per hour; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the manufacturers work in conjunction with the producers of law enforcement vehicles to ensure the safety components integral to the vehicles are not compromised; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the manufacturers provide to fleet managers, law enforcement executives/agencies, and the IACP information and/or templates concerning the safe mounting, installation and/or storage of their equipment/accessories in or on law enforcement vehicles; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the mounting, installation and/or storage of equipment/accessories could compromise the safety features of law enforcement vehicles, this information also shall be provided to fleet managers, law enforcement agencies/executives, and the IACP; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the manufacturers be called upon to cooperate with the IACP’s Highway Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in any study(ies) relevant to the establishment of standards, guidelines and/or best practices addressing subject areas such as, but not limited to, emergency vehicle lighting, reflectivity and reflective markings, basic equipment mounting, equipment storage and the emergency vehicle’s overall basic safety features.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), shall cause the formation of a national study panel to propose the adoption of national standards addressing emergency vehicle lighting, reflectivity, basic equipment mounting, equipment storage, and the emergency vehicle’s overall basic safety features, including crash resistance.