NCJ Number
52089
Date Published
Unknown
Length
20 pages
Annotation
BASIC INFORMATION ON THE RATIONALE, OBJECTIVES, AND PROCEDURES OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MARYLAND IS PRESENTED IN A SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING AID FOR ENTRY-LEVEL POLICE.
Abstract
THE FORMULA FOR CALCULATING THE ENFORCEMENT INDEX--A MEASURE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT IN A GIVEN JURISDICTION--IS EXPLAINED. (THE INDEX EQUALS THE NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS WITH PENALTIES FOR HAZARDOUS OFFENSES DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF FATAL AND PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS. THE IDEAL INDEX REPRESENTS THE BALANCE POINT BETWEEN INCREASING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH NO APPLICABLE REDUCTION IN THE ACCIDENT RATE AND DECREASING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS THAT PERMIT A CONTINUED INCREASE IN ACCIDENTS.) SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT--AN EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION NECESSARY BECAUSE POLICE AGENCIES DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO ENFORCE ALL TRAFFIC LAWS AT ALL TIMES--IS DISCUSSED. TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE PURPOSES AND METHODS ARE OUTLINED, WITH REFERENCE TO TECHNIQUES FOR TRAFFIC PATROL, STATIONARY TRAFFIC OBSERVATION, AND TRAFFIC SCREENING (ROAD CHECKS). THE FOUR TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO POLICE OFFICERS--WARNING, CITATION, ARREST, AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT REPAIR ORDER--ARE DESCRIBED, AND SITUATIONS IN WHICH EACH IS APPLICABLE ARE CITED. MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED AS A STUDY AID. (LKM)