PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Common motor vehicle violations in Nevada include impaired driving, speeding and failure to use occupant restraint systems. Data reveal that in 1991 and 1992, the state's seat belt use rate was only 63 percent. The Nevada Highway Patrol's (NHP) responsibility to provide traffic enforcement on all major highways throughout the state places it in a unique position to act as the premier law enforcement agency, and to set an example for local police agencies. Therefore, recognizing selected NHP troopers for their efforts could encourage more effective traffic enforcement measures.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Traffic Safety Recognition program is to recognize outstanding individual Nevada Highway Patrol traffic enforcement efforts in the areas of speed and impaired driving countermeasure activities. Specific objectives include:

Decreasing by 10 percent the incidence of motor vehicle crashes resulting in serious injury or death

Increasing public awareness of traffic safety through enhanced enforcement of motor vehicle laws

Increasing the seat belt use rate in Nevada

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The NHP designed the Traffic Safety Recognition program to reward troopers for their diligent work enforcing traffic safety laws throughout the state, as well as improving the overall quality of life for all Nevadans. Region Commanders from Nevada's three regions, Las Vegas, Reno and Elko, helped select troopers for recognition. The Commanders were careful not to base their selections strictly on the number of tickets issued. They also

Traffic Safety Recognition Program (cont'd)

took into account personal dedication and consistently above average job performance. Ten officers from each region were selected for recognition. The NHP held a presentation dinner in Carson City in September 1995. Each officer received a plaque in recognition of outstanding performance. Local newspapers and a local radio station provided media coverage for the event.

One of the noteworthy efforts by NHP troopers was the "Getting You There Safely" summer seat belt campaign. This campaign ran from Memorial Day through Labor Day and included extensive promotion of occupant restraint usage as well as enhanced enforcement. As a result of the program's success and troopers' dedication, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) has expanded the local effort into a 15-month campaign.

RESULTS

A total of 30 Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were recognized for their individual traffic enforcement efforts in the areas of occupant protection, speed and impaired driving countermeasure activities. To account for variations in population size and demographics between regions, established criteria provided for competition between troopers assigned to each region.

Statistics on the change in incidence of injury and fatal traffic crashes are not available, but occupant protection efforts have proved very successful. Nevada's seat belt use rate rose to 70 percent in 1993 and 71 percent in 1994.