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Introduction
This TELEMASPBulletin reports the results of 60 agency representatives who responded to a survey regarding traffic enforcement practices. Issues related to traffic-related functions were examined, including whether a specialized unit exists, training, deployment, enforcement techniques, equipmentand staffing.
In 2002, there were 3,725 traffic fatalities in Texas, 42,815 nationally. The fatality rate in Texas per 100,000 residents was 17.10 compared to a national average of 14.85 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2004). Nevertheless, with the recent emphasis upon crime control, many assert that the trend throughout the country appears to be less time to traffic enforcement and more time attending to serious crimes.
In those law enforcement agencies without a specialized unit, traffic enforcement is a function of the patrol division. However, only a minority of generalist patrol officers in most departments focus on traffic enforcement. Further, such enforcement is usually in locations where citations are easily obtained, not necessarily where a high volume of accidents occur. With increasing demands on patrol units, especially in departments which purportedly practice community policing, traffic enforcement may be minimal.
In community policing, police departments strive to foster greater interaction between the community and the police. This philosophy should attract more agencies to create traffic enforcement units, since citizens generally agree that traffic flow and congestion are quality of life priorities. Police departments may sometimes underestimate the negative impact that traffic violators have on neighborhoods and thus concentrate their efforts on more serious offenders. They might further fail to recognize that traffic violations within neighborhoods promote disorder and a feeling of lawlessness. Overtime, as violators become bolder, the residents could develop a sense of helplessness. Law enforcement officials must therefore ensure that effective traffic control remains an integral component of any residential community policing effort (Cutcliffe, 1994). Agencies active in community policing should be aware of the impact that traffic control has on their overall efforts. Excessive traffic, speed, and noise affect both the social and crime patterns within communities. Citizens who believe that law enforcement officials are actively attempting to improve a community's quality of life will join in the effort to resolve existing problems (Cutcliffe, 1994). Good community traffic control programs bring communities together, a major goal of community policing.
Enforcement Techniques
Using the standard fully...