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THE MAINE LIAISON
Happy Holidays to
you and your families from all of us at the Maine
Bureau of Highway
Safety. Stay Safe.
In This Issue
New Crash Query
DRE School
ARIDE
Chemist’s Corner
Drowsy Driving AAA
Contact Information
Edition 12 December 2016
Help us spread the highway safety message. Become our fan on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/MaineBureauOfHighwaySafety
Paul R. LePage, Governor
John E. Morris, Commissioner
Seatbelt Compliance in Maine
A note came across my screen the other day. It read:
Nat’l Belt Use Reaches 90%: Yesterday, NHTSA announced that the national seat belt use rate for 2016 reached a historic high of 90.1%, up from 88.5% the prior year. However, nearly half of all those killed in traffic fatalities are still unbelted. Read the full press release here: Report
Great news right? Not for Maine. Are we officially at 85.8% seatbelt use this year! We don’t seem to be making an impression. To add to the misery night time seatbelt use in Maine is down again, to 81.6%. This number has gone down every year , starting in 2013. This is the reason the NHTSA wants night time seatbelt enforcement. We need to bring our compliance numbers up, at least to the national average.
When NHTSA asks for nighttime enforcement please don’t as-sume you can only stop seatbelt violators. Stop them for speed or a defect but , when possible, write them for seatbelts. The $70 fine is much more palatable than the speeding ticket.
BTW - Male drivers bring the state average way down, they’re less than 80% compliant. Their passengers are <72% compliant .
If they’re in a pick up truck the average compliance rate is 71.6%. Now you know who to impress.
Check out the statistics for ejected people in this newsletter. TR
Seat Belt Use in 2016 – Overall Results (DOT HS 812 351) – Seat belt use in the United States has reached its highest level since the federal government began regular national surveys in 1994. NHTSA
Our crash query tool has gone public!
The Maine Public Crash Query Tool is now available. This project was funded by Maine Bureau of Highway Safety and Administered by MaineDOT Safety Office. This tool provides the user quick crash data in a variety of displays and query options. Some of you have already been using an earlier version of this program. We have since made a number of significant enhancements and think you’ll like what you see. Your comments and questions are welcomed. Enjoy!
Duane Brunell (MaineDOT) and Lauren Stewart (MeBHS)
The new Maine Public Crash Query Tool is pretty self-explanatory as you go from screen to screen.
You can develop data in three areas: ‘Statistics’; ‘Mapping’; and ‘High Crash Locations’.
More information and sample screen shots are attached for further guidance. Many of these items are also highlighted in the ‘Helpful Tips’ icon at the bottom of each of the three main topic screens – so check them ALL out.
To access, go to: https://mdotapps.maine.gov/MaineCrashPublic/
A tool that could help you navigate through MaineDOT road referencing is MaineDOT’s Mapviewer. The web site for that tool can be accessed via www.Maine.gov/mdot/mapviewer/ . It is helpful when looking up Route mile point references, etc.
National Speed Fatality Map – As the number of peo-ple dying in traffic crashes on Ameri-can roadways has hit a tragic 50-year high, the Vision Ze-ro Network and the National Coalition for Safer Roads have released an interactive national Speed Fatality Map. The map highlights the thousands of speed-related deaths that could be prevented each year, as well as strategies to save lives. Read more >>
NHTSA Officer Safety Initiatives –
Since 2011, the National Law En-forcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has worked in partnership with NHTSA to save the lives of law en-forcement officers by reducing traffic-related fatalities. The partners have posted resources and a video high-lighting one of-ficer's tragic experience on the NLEOMF website. Watch the video >>
Date: February 28 – March 10, 2017
Applications close January 1, 2017
Location: MCJA
Time: 8:00 - 5:00
Contact: James Lyman 877-8009
Program Description: The intent of this NHTSA / IACP training course is to identify drivers that may be impaired by drugs. The DRE program will instruct the students, through the use of systematic and standardized examinations, how to determine whether the impairment is due to drugs, and if so, the broad category or combination of categories of drugs that is the likely cause of the observed impairment.
Phase I of the training is a two day pre-school (16 hours) which reviews and enhances information offic-ers previously received in the NHTSA OUI/SFST program. Attendees should be thoroughly familiar with the OUI/SFST skills prior to attending. Phase II of training is a seven-day (56-hour) classroom program during which students receive detailed instruction in the techniques of the drug evaluation examination as well as in physiology, the effects of drugs and legal considerations. Upon completion of this phase of training, the student must pass a comprehensive written examination before proceeding Phase III of the training, the field certification. The field certification portion of training begins immediately following completion of the classroom training and is conducted at periodic intervals for the next 60 to 90 days. During this portion of the training, students, under the direction of certified instructors, evaluate sub-jects suspected of being impaired by drugs other than alcohol. After participating in and documenting the results of at least 12 drug evaluations and completing a comprehensive examination, the student is eligible for certification.
Personnel who may attend:
Full time law enforcement officers with a history of enforcing impaired driving laws and working for an agency committed to providing the logistic support necessary for the DRE to function at maximum effec-tiveness. Applicants will complete a multiphase process including supplemental application, oral board, and mentorship with an active DRE prior to being chosen for the class. Regional need will also be a con-sideration in choosing the final class.
Prerequisites: SFST Proficiency. The ARIDE course is recommended but not required. Candidates must bring a laptop computer as manuals are in electronic format. A completed supplemental application will be required from the applicant in order for the DRE Certification Board to prepare for their candidate interview and recommend qualified applicants for the program.
Class Limit: 20 Students
DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT EVALUATION & CLASSIFICATION SCHOOL
Butane Hash Oil Investigations OnLine!
We travelled the country teaching officers how to investigate and stay safe investigating BHO labs. We heard from a lot of officers and firefighters that they couldn't make the train-ing, but really wanted it. Well, here you go. Our training is now online in this E-Course. Take it on your own time from the comfort of your own home (or patrol car). Take Me To This Course!
www.GravesAssociates.com
Super Bowl Drunk Driving Prevention Campaign – On Super Bowl Sunday, there will be lots of game day socializing that may include drinking. NHTSA’s Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign encourages peo-ple to make plans ahead of time that will prevent them from getting be-hind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Campaign materials >> TSRP Traffic Tuesday Webinar Series – The Na-tional Traffic Safety Resource Prosecu-tor (TSRP) pro-gram will host a webinar on Tues-day, December 13, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET titled, "Putting it All To-gether: Report Writing and Case Preparation." The webinar will focus on writing first-rate DUI/DWI reports and discuss what prosecutors look for in these re-ports. It will also address what offic-ers can and should do before trial to prepare for pre-senting effective and convincing testimony. Register
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (A.R.I.D.E.)
This winter we are targeting three areas for ARIDE Classes.
Bethel, Brunswick and Augusta
Watch for announcements
ADVANCED ROADSIDE IMPAIRED DRIVING
ENFORCEMENT (A.R.I.D.E.) PROGRAM
January 19-20, 2017
Gorham Police Department
8:30 - 4:30
Sponsored by the Gorham Police
No cost to your agency.
Contact: James Lyman 877-8009
Here is an easy graph to understand. Of fatal crashes 36% of those unbelted
were ejected from the vehicle as opposed to 3% of those belted were ejected.
How many of those unbelted ejections could have survived? TR
Marijuana, Other Drugs, and Alcohol Use by Drivers in Washington State (DOT HS 812 299) – A voluntary, anony-mous roadside study was conducted to assess the prevalence of drivers testing positive for alcohol and other drugs including marijuana on Washington’s roads. Data was collected in three waves, before implementation of legal sales, about 6 months after implementation, and one year after implementation.
Cannabis & Road Safety: Policy Challenges – The Traffic In-jury Research Foundation in Canada has released a report that highlights priority issues related to cannabis-impaired driving in order to inform road safety strategies. Read more >>
Due to heavy media coverage, most of us are aware of fentanyl and it’s increased us-age. This increase has affected Maine as well. Maine has seen an increase of opiates/opioids as well. Opiates are naturally derived from the poppy plant, and can include morphine, codeine, etc. Opioids are synthetically derived opiates, and include oxyco-done, hydrocodone, methadone, fentanyl, etc.
The following graph depicts opiate and opioid percent-ages based upon DRE data from 2015 and 2016. In-cluded in the fenta-nyl percentages are furanyl-fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl. These are just two of the many analogs of fentanyl. Fenta-nyl and its deriva-tives are often com-bined with other controlled substanc-es, such as heroin. It is important to note that heroin and fentanyl are rarely the only drugs in the driver’s system. More often than not, combinations of drugs are detected simultaneously, with carboxy-thc, benzodiazepines, and stimulants being the most common. As the country sees an increase of opiate/opioid use in drivers, so does Maine.
Heather Dyer Maine HETL
CHEMIST’S O R N E R
DEA Releases 2016 Drug Threat Assessment:
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths rising at an alarming rate
Powerful synthetic opioid often added to heroin, sold as heroin to unsuspecting users DEC 6 - (Washington) – DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg today announced results from the 2016 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), which details the extent to which illicit drugs are af-fecting the United States. Most notably, the 2016 NDTA continues to illuminate the nationwide opioid epidemic, which is fueling a growing heroin user population and resulting in a greater amount of over-doses. In 2014, approximately 129 people died every day as a result of drug poisoning and 61% (79) of them are pharmaceutical opioid or heroin related. Read More
Missing 1-2 Hours of Sleep Doubles Crash Risk
AAA Foundation study reveals the dangers of getting less than seven hours of sleep, Drivers who miss between one to two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep in a 24-
hour period nearly double their risk for a crash, according to new research from the AAA Foun-
dation for Traffic Safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35 percent of
U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended seven hours daily. And with drowsy driving in-
volved in more than one in five fatal crashes on U.S. roadways each year, AAA warns drivers
that getting less than seven hours of sleep may have deadly consequences. AAA Study
Sleep deprivation slows reactions to
stimuli, decreases accuracy of responses,
and leads to long lapses in attention.
Drowsy Fact Sheet
Shift work is often part of our police work. Some prefer nights, others work nights as part of a schedule. No matter which you must concentrate on getting enough sleep. With the holidays upon us this gets more and more difficult. Most officers would prefer to enjoy the festivities and family but often at the expense of sleep.
If you’re tired, get out of the cruiser. Rattle some doors, work traffic, or stop in to an all night store.
Please don’t be problem driving while tired.
TR
The estimated crash risk associated with driving after only 4-5 hours of sleep com-pared with 7 hours or more is similar to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-tion’s estimates of the crash risk associated with driving with a blood alcohol concentra-tion (BAC) equal to or slightly over the legal limit for alcohol in the US (0.08), and the crash risk associated with having slept less than 4 hours of sleep is comparable to the crash risk associated with a BAC of roughly 0.12-0.15
By Kendra Nunes
PoliceOne Special Contributor
Sleep deprivation is not unique to law enforcement, but the consequences of sleep deprivation are ampli-
fied by the unique stressors that come with police work.
Many of our officers (and dispatchers) are working some — or all — of their days off to make ends meet,
or just to earn extra cash. For some, it’s about financial survival. For others it’s about priorities.
Those of us who can, should make sleep a higher priority. Here’s why. POLICE ONE
How sleep deprivation affects officer safety and performance
Car crashes rank among the leading causes of death in the United States
Columbia County traffic stop leads to drug charges for Maine man
Ohio Police Arrest Man With 71 Pounds Of Marijuana Worth $330,000.
The Daily Mail (11/25) reports, “A man has been arrested after Ohio’s State Highway Patrol found 71 pounds of marijuana and other drugs wrapped up as Christmas pre-sents in his vehicle.” The drugs have an estimated street value of $330,000. Daniel Yates, 31, of California also had 360 THC pills and a pound of hash wax oil. Yates has been charged with possession and drug trafficking, and could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted. DAILY MAIL
Heroin Worth $11 Million Found In Tractor Trailer Pulled Over For Speeding.
The AP (12/2) reports that Cali-fornia Highway Patrol officers dis-covered more than 200 pounds of heroin worth about $11 million in a tractor trailer that was pulled over for speeding. Police became suspicious when the driver began acting nervous, and a police dog was able to sniff out the drugs. Authorities believe the driver was heading to Canada.
Victorville
Two Hundred Pounds Of Marijuana Seized In Traffic Stop.
The AP (12/1) reports that police in Sterling Heights, a De-troit suburb, seized 200 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop. The AP says that according to police, search warrants were executed as part of an investigation of a source of “high potency marijuana” from California. Sterling Heights
November 03, 2016 01:43 PM
NEW LEBANON - A traffic stop in Columbia County ends with drug charges for a Maine man. Andrew Evensen, 25, was stopped on Route 20 Tuesday for not wearing his seatbelt. Troopers say during the stop they found around 20 grams of marihuana, .8 grams of marihuana wax, 21.4 grams of hashish, 8.3 grams of MDMA, and 1.5 ounces of marihuana salve. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of bail. WNYT.com
NHTSA Free VIN Look-up Tool
Vehicle recalls are at an all-time high in the United States. Millions of unfixed and unsafe vehicles are on the road, some unbeknownst to owners. NHTSA is providing a website for consumers to use the free VIN look-up tool to see if their vehicle is under a recall. Please help us reach out to the public by linking to the website at www.safercar.gov/VIN. Also encourage everyone to get their recalls fixed as soon as possible. This could save their lives and those of their passengers. AAMVA
Vehicle Safety
LEL December Webinar: Improv-ing Officer Safety– The December ses-sion of the LEL Webinar Series is scheduled for Wednesday, De-cember 14, at 3:00 p.m. ET. The webi-nar will introduce participants to the National Law En-forcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) pro-grams for officer safety and wellness and discuss what the analysis of data from line of duty deaths reveals. Par-ticipants will learn about resources available to LELs and law enforce-ment agencies to improve officer safe-ty as it relates to traffic enforcement, and where law en-forcement can take proactive steps to reduce officer traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Register >>
Maine Bureau of Highway Safety
45 Commerce Dr. STE. 1
164 State House Station (mailing address)
Augusta, ME. 04333
207-626-3840
Director Lauren Stewart 207-626-3841 [email protected]
Dale Gilbert 207-626-3844 [email protected]
Jaime Pelotte 207-626-3846 [email protected]
Corinne Perreault (Corey) 207-626-3847 [email protected]
Janet Cummings 207-626-3848 [email protected]
Scot Mattox 207-458-0913 [email protected]
Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
Tom Reagan 207-480-0603 [email protected]
Law Enforcement Liaison
Most of us have seen it. You approach a crash scene and judge the damage
of the car and anticipate the extent of injuries before you even get out of
your cruiser. Too often the vehicle’s shell is in decent condition but the crash
resulted in a death. Those ejected have very little chance to survive. During
a crash, typically, the safest place for the occupants is buckled to the seat
they’re sitting in. This is why we encourage you to enforce the seatbelt laws.
Stay Safe this Holiday Season
