NIGHT SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AND EVALUATION

NIGHT SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENTDEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AND

EVALUATION

[NIGHT SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT: NHTSA Contract - DTNH22-05-R-05094]

Preusser Research Group, Inc

Mark Solomon

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Alan Block

NHTSA Briefing April 9, 2008

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

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% Belted among fatally injured front seat occupants of passenger vehicles

Source: FARS 1998-2004

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Fatally Injured Drivers, FARS 2003, Imputed BAC, Passenger Vehicles

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NIGHT SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT DEMONSTRATION

AND EVALUATION [Contract - DTNH22-05-R-05094]

Two Study Objectives:

1. Collect information regarding methods of night-time enforcement from law enforcement officers/agencies

and then

2. Demonstrate and evaluate night-time seat belt enforcement program

• Can belt use be improved at night? • Bleed over effect into alcohol?

Slide 5

Study Objective 1

Collect information regarding methods of night-time enforcement from law enforcement officers/agencies

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Study Objective 1 - Collect information regarding methods of night-time enforcement from law enforcement officer/agencies

The topical discussion guide was completed March 2006

Contacted Law Enforcement Agency officers who had night belt use enforcement experience

What was discussed? Department characteristics Experience with night traffic enforcement How night enforcement got started Necessary elements for night belt enforcement Inclusion of DWI with night belt enforcement

Slide 7

Study Objective 1 - Collect information regarding methods of night-time enforcement from law enforcement officer/agencies

Learned

Techniques of night enforcement varied among LEAs

Checkpoints/Safety Zones Officer Spotters; Two-Officers per Vehicle; Single Officer with Vehicle

Type belt law mattersAmount of manpower and equipment depends on enforcement tacticMore than belt violators out at nightUpfront with media helps with this novel approachExplanation of goals and approach to local mediaLegal counsel needs to be consulted upfrontPolitical support should be soughtIt takes leadership, equipment, and training

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Study Objective 2

Demonstrate and evaluate night-time seat belt program

Slide 9

Study Objective 2 - Demonstrate and evaluate night-time seat belt enforcement programs in three study communities

Evaluation Questions:

Can night-time enforcement improve the belt use rate at night? At daytime?

Do different enforcement techniques make a difference?

Does a night-time belt enforcement program also deter alcohol impaired driving?

Slide 10


Recruitment of Study Sites:

NHTSA Regions were contacted and then States for nominations of potential study sites

Study Requirements:

Population between 50K and 300k

Located in single independent media market

Show support of key parties in community

Have protocol for handling drunk drivers and have SFST officers participating

Have someone on staff knowledgeable of earned media

Conduct traffic enforcement at nightFour 10-day belt enforcement waves; between the hours 10pm and 2am1 wave per calendar quarter in year 2007Second wave synchronized with May CIOT Mobilization

Slide 11


In order to qualify for selection, law enforcement agencies had to:

Complete an application

Indicate how they would fulfill the requirements for the study

Identify preferred enforcement tactic

Provide a person to support local earned media effort

Provide official letters of support from community leaders

Provide details for remuneration

Slide 12

Study Communities

Three Test Communities

Two in North Carolina (primary law)1.Asheville2.Greenville

One in West Virginia (secondary law)3.Charleston

Two Comparison Communities1.Gaston, NC2.Wheeling, WV

Slide 13

Incentive for Participation

$200,000 per study community for overtime and equipment

Over ½ of funding spent on equipment used for demonstration program

• cargo trailer• traffic cones• light towers• programmable message boards• traffic vests• gloves• flashlights• digital in-car video cameras for DWI• radios for communication• other

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Three Different Enforcement Approaches Were Used

1. Seat Belt Checkpoints (Asheville, NC)

2. Saturation Patrol (Greenville, NC)

3. Safety Enforcement Zones (Charleston, WV)

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1. “Seat Belt Checkpoints”

Asheville, NC

Asheville Police Buncombe County SheriffBiltmore Forest PoliceWoodfin PoliceNC State Highway PatrolWNC Safe KidsDistrict Attorney’s OfficeNHTSAPRGNC GHSP

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2. “Saturation Patrols”

Greenville, NC

Greenville PoliceWinterville PoliceBethel Police Farmville PoliceAyden Police Pitt County SheriffAyden PoliceEast Carolina University PolicePitt County Memorial Hospital PoliceNHTSAPRGNC GHSP

Slide 17

3. “Safety Enforcement Zones”

Charleston, WV (secondary law)

Charleston Police

Slide 18

Paid Media Supported the Program Enforcement

Television commercials were produced by NHTSA’s Office of Communications and their paid contractor, The Tombras Group

The advertisement focused on young adult males encountering law enforcement at night

Television commercials ran concurrently with the enforcement effort

Radio advertisements also were used

Slide 19

Earned Media Supported the Program Enforcement

Earned media were produced by NHTSA’s Office of Communications and their paid contractor, Akins Crisp Public Strategies

Provided each intervention wave:

Fact sheet and talking points

Letter to editor

News release

OP ed articles

CHARLESTON NIGHTTIME PLANNER

THIRD WAVE

SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [Date]

CONTACT: [Name, Phone Number, E-mail address]

Charleston Police Department Launches Special Wave of Enforcement at Night

Goal Is to Boost Seat Belt Use—and to Save Lives

[City, State] – In an effort to save more lives on Charleston’s roadways, local law enforcement is continuing to buckle down on those not buckled up—day and night.

According to NHTSA, 69 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in nighttime motor vehicle crashes in West Virginia in 2005 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. That percentage is considerably higher than the 51 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were unrestrained and killed during daytime hours in the State.

That’s why the Charleston Police Department announced today that they are launching a special “Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilization to target those not buckled up, especially at night. Special Safety Enforcement Zones will be set up across the city at night to crack down on traffic violations, including seat belt violations, from July 27–August 5. Anyone who is pulled over for another violation and is caught not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed and fined—no excuses.

“Clearly more drivers at night than during the day are taking the attitude that it will never happen to me. But the risk of a fatal crash actually goes up at night,” [Law Enforcement official] said. “That’s why this July and throughout the year, we’re increasing Safety Enforcement Zones to make sure that all passengers, in all vehicles, are buckled up—day and night.”

[Law enforcement official] said regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. He said that 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants in a fatal crash who were buckled up survived the crash.

But too many motorists ignore these facts at night. In 2005, 171 passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal motor vehicle crashes in West Virginia were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Of this total, 87 of the unbelted fatalities took place between the hours of 6:00 p.m.–5:59 a.m.

“Seat belts clearly save lives. But unfortunately, too many folks in our area still need a tough reminder, so our special nighttime Safety Enforcement Zones are going to help remind folks to always buckle up,” said [Law enforcement official]. “Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but the cost for not wearing it certainly will. So unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse, your life, please remember to buckle up day and night—‘Click It or Ticket.’”

—more—

For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/link/ciot.htm.

###

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http://www.nhtsa.gov/link/ciot.htm

Program Evaluation

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Program Evaluation

Evaluation Techniques

Enforcement activity data

Media information

Awareness surveys

Seat belt observational surveys

Roadside BAC surveys

Crash data

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Enforcement Activity

Evaluation Results

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Officer HoursEvaluation Results

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ASHEVILLE GREENVILLE CHARLESTON

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Enforcement InputEvaluation Results

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Seat Belt Checkpoints Safety Enforcmeent ZonesSaturation Patrol

Seat Belt TicketsEvaluation Results

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DUI ArrestsEvaluation Results

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Speeding TicketsEvaluation Results

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Suspended License TicketsEvaluation Results

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Uninsured MotoristsEvaluation Results

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EnforcementSummary

Enforcement agencies stuck to planned intervention type

Enforcement participation in some cases lessened over course of wave

Night enforcement often resulted in additional police work

No public or administrative backlash

Evaluation Results

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Media Activity

Evaluation Results

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Paid Media Input

Varied from Wave to WaveEvaluation Results

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$35,000

$70,000

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Total $s for Cable Total $s Netw ork Total $s for Radio

Slide 33

Earned Media Input

Number of Reported OccurrencesEvaluation Results

• PRG asked enforcement agency contacts to tally earned media

• Number of press conferences

• Number of TV news stories

• Number of Radio news stories

• Number of Print news stories

• Earned media reporting was incomplete

News media appeared to grow less interested over-time

Two checkpoint locations garnered attention using checkpoint results as a hook

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AWARENESS RESULTS

Evaluation Results

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AwarenessEvaluation Results

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*Pre 1 and Post 1 DL Office survey responses; all else are telephone survey responses

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Read, Seen or Heard of Special Belt Effort in Past 30 Days

Asheville Greenville Charleston

AwarenessEvaluation Results

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*Pre 1 and Post 1 DL Office survey responses; all else are telephone survey responses

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Police in Community are Writing Belt Tickes at Night "Strongly Agree"

Asheville Greenville Charleston

BELT USE RESULTS

Evaluation Results

Slide 38

Charleston, WV

NIGHT Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

58.4%

61.8%

66.1%

70.2%

64.5%

60.2%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Janua

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Febr

uary

Mar

chApr

ilM

ayJu

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Septe

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Octob

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CHARLESTON, WV Night Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=12,426)

Slide 39

Charleston, WV

DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

72.7% 72.7%

78.4%

74.7%

71.0%71.9%

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60%

70%

80%

Januar

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Febru

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chApril

May

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mber

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CHARLESTON, WV Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=35,442)

Slide 40

Charleston, WV

NIGHT and DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

50%

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80%

Januar

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chApril

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Weighted Nighttime Belt Use Rate

Weighted Daytime Belt Use Rate

CHARLESTON, WV Night vs. Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=47,868)

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Charleston, WV


Evaluation Results

50%

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80%

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Charleston Nighttime Belt Use Rate (12,426)

Wheeling Nighttime Belt Use Rate (15,699)

Charleston, WV vs. Wheeling, WV; Belt Use Rate 2007

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Greenville, NC

NIGHT Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

83.4%84.0%

86.2%

87.6%86.8% 87.1%

80%

85%

90%

95%

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Greenville, NC Night Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=21,721)

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Greenville, NC

DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

89.6%89.0% 89.2%

90.6%89.8% 89.9%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Januar

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Febru

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Mar

chApril

May

June

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Oct

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Greenville, NC Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=47,419)

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Greenville, NC


Evaluation Results

80%

85%

90%

95%

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Greenville, NC Night vs. Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=69,140)

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Greenville, NC (Test) vs. Gastonia, NC (Comparison)NIGHT and DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

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70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Januar

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Febru

ary

Mar

chApril

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June

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August

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Oct

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Greenville Nighttime Belt Use Rate (21,721)

Gastonia Nighttime Belt Use Rate (13,520)

Greenville, NC vs. Gastonia, NC; Belt Use Rate 2007

Greenville, NC

NIGHT Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

85.6%

87.5%

86.3%

89.5%

83.4%

92.5%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Janua

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Febr

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Mar

chApr

ilM

ayJu

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Octob

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Asheville, NC Night Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=16,480)

Slide 47

Asheville, NC

DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

86.3%

88.4%89.2%

88.5%89.0%

89.4%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Januar

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Febru

ary

Mar

chApril

May

June

July

August

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mber

Oct

ober

Novem

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Decem

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Asheville, NC Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=43,292)

Slide 48

Asheville, NC

Night and DAY Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

80%

85%

90%

95%

Januar

y

Febru

ary

Mar

chApril

May

June

July

August

Septe

mber

Oct

ober

Novem

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Decem

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Asheville, NC Night vs. Day Belt Use Rate 2007 (n=59,772)

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Asheville, NC (TEST) vs. Gastonia, NC (Comparison)NIGHT Seat Belt Use

Evaluation Results

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70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

Asheville Nighttime Belt Use Rate (16,480)

Gastonia Nighttime Belt Use Rate (13,520)

Asheville, NC vs. Gastonia, NC; Belt Use Rate 2007

Asheville, NC

BAC of Drivers; Pre/Post Waves 1 & 4Evaluation Results

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15.7%

10.8%

14.0%

9.8%

5.8%

4.5%

3.4%2.8%

0%

4%

8%

12%

16%

Pre W1 Post W1 Pre W4 Post W4

BAC > .0 BAC > .049

Night Wave 1 Night Wave 4

(n=537) (n=756) (n=767) (n=704)

Asheville, NC

BAC >.049; Pre/Post Waves 1 & 4

Evaluation Results

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BAC > .049

5.8%

4.5%

3.4%2.8%

0%

4%

8%

12%

16%

Pre W1 Post W1 Pre W4 Post W4

Night Wave 1 Night Wave 4

(n=537) (n=756) (n=767) (n=704)

Asheville, NC

Single Vehicle Crashes; 12am to 5am

Evaluation Results

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January March May July September November

2006 2007

Serious and Fatally Injured Passenger Vehicle Occupants at Night (12am to 5am);Asheville, NC PD; 2006 vs. 2007

Wave 1

Wave 2

Wave 3

Wave 4

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Asheville, NC

Single Vehicle Crashes; 12am to 5amEvaluation Results

All Single Passenger Vehicle Crashes at Night (12am to 4:59am);Asheville, NC PD; 2006 vs. 2007

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2006 2007

Wave 1Wave 2

Wave 3

Wave 4

Slide 54

Test Site Exit Discussion

Local Agency points of contacts and PRG discussed program after final wave

What was Discussed:

Thoughts on usefulness of program

Public/Official reactions to program

Unexpected hurdles

Suggested adjustments to program

Future plans for night belt enforcement

Slide 55


Summary

Usefulness of programAll felt program improved overall traffic safety and belt use in particularAll believed that night traffic activities also deterred crime in areaTwo study locations fostered relationships with surrounding agencies using

overtime/equipment grants from NHTSA

Public/Official reactions to programVery little kickback from citizensOfficials were made aware beforehand and were ready to handle citizen calls

Unexpected hurdlesLack of SFST trained officers in one location (Asheville); partnering with

neighboring agencies brought less trained officers into operationOfficer burnout occurred in later phases of the program in some casesDifficult to keep news media interested in all waves

Suggested adjustments to programShorten length of enforcement period and do more periods to sustain night

enforcement over more time-periods in the year

Slide 56


Discussion Summary Continued

Test Sites future plans for night belt enforcementContinue to do night belt programUse night traffic operations as a crime deterrent as needed (Greenville)Continue to use incentive equipment for night traffic operations as well as other

needs

Slide 57

Demonstration Project Summary

Evaluation Questions:

Can night-time enforcement improve the belt use rate at night? At daytime?Night belt use improvedIncreases at night typically greater than dayBelt use improved in both high and low belt use locations

Do different enforcement techniques make a difference?

Belt use improved more in checkpoint locations

Checkpoint apparently worked better to garner media interest

Does a night-time belt enforcement program also deter alcohol impaired driving?Positive BACs decreased in Asheville, NCSingle vehicle crashes at night decreased

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ENDEND

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Documents

NIGHT SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AND EVALUATION