PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Because of its primary enforcement occupant protection
laws, seat belt use in Iowa ranks among the highest in the nation, averaging
78 percent in 2000. Nevertheless, each year in Iowa more than 400 people
are killed, and over 3,000 are seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes.
The city of Marion, Iowa experiences an average of 700 traffic crashes
each year, resulting in more than 800 personal injuries from 1995 to
2001.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To decrease personal injuries resulting from
traffic crashes occurring in the city, the Marion Police Department
developed the Marion Occupant Protection program in 1995. Objectives
of the program are to:
- Increase seat belt use from 83 percent to
90 percent
- Issue more seat belt citations to motorists
who do not comply with occupant protection laws
- Reduce the number of traffic crashes at high-risk locations throughout
the city
- Increase public information and education efforts through enforcement
activities
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
In October 1995, the Marion Police Department
received grant funding from the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau
(GTSB) to develop an ongoing enforcement program focused on reducing
personal injuries resulting from traffic crashes, and increasing traffic
citations for non-compliance with Iowa's occupant protection laws. Police
officials believed that there was a direct correlation between the number
of citations issued and the total injuries resulting from traffic crashes.
Using overtime funds, law enforcement officers were assigned to selected
locations in the city, for monthly enforcement operations.
Specific activities associated with the Marion Occupant
Protection program include:
- Identifying high-risk intersections and locations throughout the
city for focused enforcement efforts
- Directing a minimum of twelve public information and education initiatives,
including child safety seat clinics, distributing monthly newsletters
and pamphlets and promoting enforcement waves through the local media
- Participating in four statewide Occupant Protection Special Traffic
Enforcement Programs (OP sTEP) waves each year
- Conducting pre- and post-enforcement occupant protection surveys
for local enforcement operations, as well as OP sTEP wave
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