Capt. Ralph D. Mitchell Jr

Capt. Ralph D. Mitchell Jr.

Louisiana State Police Troop C www.lsp.org

Identify locations throughout the Troop where crashes are most likely to occur

Design an effective crash analysis program to determine the primary factors that contribute to traffic crashes at these locations

Develop effective countermeasures to correct hazardous conditions

Implement a public information and education campaign, to help the public avoid traffic dangers and crash risks

Vehicle crashes and traffic congestion have a significant effect on the quality of life of all residents and visitors of

Louisiana.

The NYPD modeled the TrafficStat process after the CompStat system, a highly-effective method for reducing crime and disorder in New York City, that has been employed by law enforcement officers in recent years. TrafficStat is comprised of four components: 1) Accurate and timely intelligence; 2) Rapid deployment; 3) Effective tactics; and 4) Relentless follow-up and assessment.

The TrafficStat system is used as a tool to implement the Six E's (Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Emergency Response, Evacuation, and Everyone Else) at locations throughout the Troop that show “potential” for effectiveness. The identification process, along with an analysis of crash factors and discussion of potential solutions, takes place at monthly “Traffic Strategy” meetings.

• 14,076 Total Crashes

• 4,692 Crashes per Year

3 Years (97,98,99)3 Years (97,98,99)

•Crash Analysis

•DOTD Abnormals

•Troop Clerk Accounting

•Highway Safety Commission

•DARS

•Troop Desk Logs

•Location of Crash – Phase One

•Intersection

•Section

•Spot


•Time of Crash – Phase Two


•Time of Crash – Phase Two

•Exhaustive Analysis of Cause – Phase Three

•Manner of Collision on Report

•Signs and Signals

•Failure to Yield

•Following Too Closely.

• Enforcement—targeted enforcement of unsafe driving violations at specific times of day, days of the week, at locations identified as crash-prone

Trafficstat Plan

•All Troopers

•Location Profiles

•Enforcement Recommendations

•Constantly Updated

Location Profiles

•# of Crashes

•Total Traffic Count

•Seat Belt Usage

•Prevailing Speed

•Target Enforcement

•High Visibility Patrol

•Unmarked Car Patrol

•Unmanned Vehicle/Drone Radar

•Stationary Patrol

•Radar Trailer

•Engineering—changing the timing of a traffic light; adding a turn arrow; installing signs or barriers; painting new pavement markings

•Trooper Recommendations

•DOTD Liaison

•Education—public information and education campaigns are conducted to increase the publics awareness of traffic hazards and crash risks.

•Media Blitzes

•Target Audience Identification

•Troopers in Schools

•Web Pages

•Emergency Response – Implementing Traffic Incident Command principles to relieve congestion and restore the flow of traffic in a timely fashion.

•Incident Command Training

•Emergency Notification

• Evacuation – Coordination with all Emergency Operations and Management Groups charged with the responsibility of public safety during natural and manmade disasters.

• National Guard

• Legislative Delegation

• Infrastructure Groups

• Everyone Else – Involvement of any and all community groups with an interest in traffic and highway safety.

• MPO’s

• Community Groups

• College and University Groups

•Following Too Close Campaign

•Info to Judges/D.A.

•Press Releases

•Stopwatches

BillboardBillboard

• Hand and stop watchHand and stop watch

• “ “Just 2 Seconds” textJust 2 Seconds” text

• “ “Did You Know” sectionDid You Know” section

• Trooper badge & NSU logoTrooper badge & NSU logo

• SloganSlogan

Did You Know?Did You Know?

Just 2Just 2

SecondsSecondsBy watching the rear bumper of the car aheadBy watching the rear bumper of the car ahead

of you as it passes a sign and countingof you as it passes a sign and counting“one thousand one, one thousand two…”“one thousand one, one thousand two…”

By watching the rear bumper of the car aheadBy watching the rear bumper of the car aheadof you as it passes a sign and countingof you as it passes a sign and counting

“one thousand one, one thousand two…”“one thousand one, one thousand two…”

You CanSave Lives,

Save Money & Save Time!

You CanSave Lives,

Save Money & Save Time!

PosterPoster

3 Yr (98,99,00) Yr 2001%

• DWI’s 1155 1371 18.70

• SPD 14893 13319 -10.57

• FTC 224 916 308.94

• ITC 1145 6642 480.02

• Tot Haz. 20653 26157 26.65

As of 01/01/02As of 01/01/02

3 Yr (98,99,00) Yr 2001%

• PDC’s 2719 2557 -5.96

• IC’s 1924 1701 -11.59

• FC’s 50 41 -18.00

• Total All 4693 4299 -8.40

As of 01/01/02As of 01/01/02

26% Reduction in Alcohol Related Fatal Crashes

Highest Seat Belt Usage Rate in State

Seat Belt Usage Rate 7% Higher than Nation

18% Reduction in Fatal Crashes.

Reduction of Crashes

Trooper feeling of Mission

Supervisor Accountability

No Surprises

Procedural missteps are exposed

Investment in Patrol Area

Minimal Cost to Department

Does not rely on task force concept.

Follow-up and accountability.

Manpower on patrol at times of high crash exposure

Evaluation of Effectiveness.

Trafficstat Monthly Meetings

•Develop Traffic Safety Programs

•Discussion

•Review Crash Prone Locations

•In-Depth Review of Fatalities

•Accountability

•Newsletter



Questions?



Documents

Capt. Ralph D. Mitchell Jr