PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Aiken County, located in the midwest region of South Carolina, is the state’s second largest county with a population of 133,000. The county is home to major industry, as well as many high profile cultural events, and an interstate system that runs the length of the county. Over the past three years, Aiken County has experienced a dramatic increase in traffic crashes and fatalities, reaching a record high of 50 fatalities in 1998. During that same year, alcohol or drugs were probable causes in 143 crashes resulting in six deaths and 98 injuries. Speed accounted for 32 percent of reported crashes. Prior to the grant award, traffic enforcement was virtually non-existent and there weren’t any proactive traffic safety programs in the unincorporated areas because of manpower restraints. Aiken County needed aggressive educational programs and increased enforcement levels in order to reduce the number of traffic crashes.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Alcohol Enforcement Program are to:

• create a three person Traffic Enforcement Section within the Sheriff’s Office within one month of receiving the grant;

• make a minimum of 83 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests and issue a minimum of 440 speeding citations;

• conduct a minimum of 16 public safety checkpoints;

• plan and conduct special enforcement and DUI educational activities related to Highway Safety;

• issue monthly press releases regarding the progress of the Alcohol Enforcement Program; and

• conduct a minimum of 15 educational presentations on the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and other unsafe practices by September 30, 1999.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

To combat the high number of traffic crashes in Aiken County, a three person Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) was formed to provide proactive traffic enforcement throughout the county. Officers received training that helped them in their enforcement efforts while detecting, apprehending, and prosecuting impaired drivers were the primary focus of the unit.

After reviewing crash data, the TEU determined target areas for selective and aggressive traffic enforcement. In order to educate the public about the dangers of drinking and driving, the TEU planned and conducted presentations for several different groups including schools, churches, and businesses. The TEU also conducted special enforcement activities and DUI-related activities throughout the grant period. The media was contacted regularly to keep the public informed about the efforts of the Alcohol Enforcement Program.

RESULTS

Upon receipt of the grant award, the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office initially encountered opposition from the citizens and county government. However, the media was very receptive to the program and offered positive coverage, which helped to gain the public’s support.

• The TEU made 32 DUI arrests in the first quarter of the grant, demonstrating the severity of the DUI problem. There were 96 DUI arrests during the FY 1999 grant period (despite the late start on the grant).

• During that same period, 968 speeding violations were issued and 18 checkpoints were conducted. These checkpoints included multi-jurisdictional checkpoints with state and local agencies, and several of the checkpoints were held in conjunction with "Buckle Up America Week" and "Child Passenger Safety Week."

• Several educational activities were conducted, including presentations using impairment goggles and a golf cart to simulate the effects of alcohol when driving. Child Safety Seat clinics were also conducted to educate the public about properly buckling up children.

• Over 1,000 citizens attended the 25 presentations conducted during the grant period.

• Total crashes reported in Aiken County decreased by nine percent; traffic crashes with a probable cause of alcohol or drugs decreased 15 percent during the grant period.

   WINTER 2002