2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Highway Patrol
Division
DPS establishes “Ten mile details” to increase highway safety during holidays
Throughout the major holiday weekends and the designated C.A.R.E. Periods during FY 2006, Arizona
Highway Patrol officers participated in “Ten-Mile Details” on major interstate systems within the state.
During the details, commanders assigned officers to ten-mile stretches of Interstates 10, 8, and 19 to
reduce collisions related to speed/aggressive driving, drowsy driving and impaired driving. Areas
that were targeted were based upon crash statistics. Officers also vigorously enforced the state’s
occupant protection laws.
In addition to the Ten-Mile Details, Highway Patrol officers statewide adjusted their regular
work schedule to afford greater road coverage while participating in multiple DUI Task
Forces, and enforcing seat belt violations and underage alcohol consumption.
DPS conducts seat belt survey to verify USDOT study on seat belt use
A national study released in 2005 by USDOT reflected that only 48% of all commercial drivers wear a safety belt,
compared to 79% of passenger vehicle occupants. In order to help educate truck drivers within Arizona, hundreds
of seat belt brochures were distributed to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau (CVEB) officers at DPS.
These brochures were distributed to truck drivers during enforcement details during FY 2006.
DPS Commercial Vehicle officers felt that this figure may not be accurate in Arizona. District 15 CVEB found a
novel method to substantiate the claim. DPS Commercial Vehicle officers were stationed on overpasses along
interstates around Arizona during FY 2006 where they visually observed commercial drivers. The surveys were
conducted in June and again in September, and found that in Arizona commercial vehicle drivers do wear seatbelts
significantly more often than the USDOT national figures. Following are results of stationary, visual surveys of
seatbelt use by commercial vehicle drivers performed by DPS officers.
Survey done in June (FY 2006):
Total vehicles observed: 3279
Drivers wearing seatbelts: 2148 (65%)
Drivers not wearing seatbelts: 648 (19%)
Unknown/could not observe: 435 (13%)
Survey done in September/October (FY 2006):
Total vehicles observed: 2,646
Drivers wearing seatbelts: 1,953 (73.8%)
Drivers not wearing seatbelts: 509 (19%)
Unknown/could not observe: 158 (6%)
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