High-Visibility Enforcement

An Aware Pedestrian’s efforts have not gone unchallenged. Online resources and critical analysis of community actions to achieve successful motorist educational opportunities are important. 

As a matter of fact, last year the GSA determined that pedestrian accident fatalities increased an additional 11.5% – bringing the total increase in 2021 to 17% that translates into the largest increase of pedestrian accidents in four (4) decades.

Another case Study to Validate the HVE strategy

The first step in developing the plan was to identify the location where the enforcement was to take place. One particular roadway had seen a recent fatal crash. Using the department’s Compstat report and records management system, two segments along the same roadway were found to have 14 crashes per week compared to a similar roadway segment that experienced six crashes per week. Temporal analysis showed that crashes were more likely in the hours leading up to the evening rush hour. Finally, with the help of the Tennessee Department of Safety’s Tennessee Integrated Traffic Analysis Network, the leading contributing factors to crashes in the target location were identified. These contributing factors included drivers following improperly and failing to maintain their lane. It is believed that driver distraction could be an underlying factor when drivers strike the vehicle in front of them (attributed to following improperly) or fail to maintain their lane. The various types of distractions — cellphones, radios, eating, navigation systems — take attention away from safe driving behavior.

HVE is a proven countermeasure and universal traffic-safety approach designed to create deterrence and change unlawful and risky driving behaviors. HVE combines highly visible and proactive law enforcement strategies to target specific violations. The ultimate goal of HVE is to deter risky driving behaviors and subsequently reduce crashes in the targeted area.[5] The HVE model was paired with a hypothesis based on the Koper Curve.

The study that resulted in the Koper Curve found that “Police can maximize crime and disorder reduction at hot spots by making proactive, 10-15 minute stops at these locations on a random, intermittent basis, thus maximizing deterrence and minimizing the amount of unnecessary time spent at hot spots.”[6] In the application of this particular HVE plan, it was hypothesized that the enforcement “waves” could have an ideal dosage to reduce crashes.

Based on the previous identification of corridors with high numbers of crashes and the associated temporal analysis, the Koper method was applied to target the driving behaviors associated with traffic crashes. We hypothesized that implementing HVE plans along the roadway segment hot spots would reduce the number of traffic crashes in an efficient manner. Two interventions were implemented to determine the effectiveness of our efforts to reduce crashes.

The two things that stood out from the Tennessee study was the feedback signs indicating the importance of pedestrian safety and high traffic areas.

The other stand out noting; The high visibility enforcement operation letting drivers know why the vehicle cited is pulled over for distracted driving and seat belt violations.

May 23 – June 5, 2022 / National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization

Seat belts have been proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash. Yet, many still don’t buckle up. Worse still, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that will pass on to impressionable youth who, in turn, will think it is safe to not buckle up. The Click It or Ticket campaign focuses on safety education, strong laws, and law enforcement support to save lives.