Highway Safety
Perhaps the greatest threat to our daily safety is the possibility of being injured in an automobile accident. Death, injury and destruction is especially tragic since in can be prevented. Little thought is given the number of lives saved as a result of the enforcement efforts from our police. Thankfully, recent years have shown a continual downward trend in the number of fatalities -- but much still remains to be done.
We all recognize the dangers of the drugged, drunken and reckless drivers and the importance of seat belts and child restraints. However, numerous deaths and injuries continue to occur. One hidden threat which continues to endanger the safety of Erie County residents, both on the highway and in our homes, stems from the number of commercial vehicles traveling our highways. Most of these vehicles are mechanically sound and are operated by professional drivers, but others, operated by aggressive drivers, are ticking time bombs. To make matters worse, many of these vehicle transport industrial waste and other hazardous materials.
- Continued heavy emphasis on drugged, drunken and reckless driving arrests;
- Identification of specific high accident areas to allow corrective measures to be taken, such as increased enforcement, traffic control devices or highway re-design;
- Provide commercial vehicle training and hazardous material training to patrol deputies;
- Work with media outlets in making public service announcements concerning highway safety - warning motorists of dangerous conditions, and assisting the media in providing road condition reports, particularly during heavy commuting hours;
- Work with driver education programs including a presentation from a Sheriff's deputy dealing with traffic stops and highway dangers. Part of this presentation will deal with appropriate responses when the operator is not sure the other vehicle is really a police vehicle.
- Continued support of safety and prevention efforts made by groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Students Against Drunk Drivers (SADD) and Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID).
- Encourage seat belt use and child restraint seat compliance through education and enforcement.
- Participate in highway safety programs funded by federal and state grants.
- Assist federal and state department of transportation officials in safety inspections of commercial vehicles using Erie County roads.
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