Aggressive Driving: Appendix 1

Profiles of State and Local Agency Implementation Efforts: Strategy 4.1 A1 (Milwaukee Police Department)

Emphasis Area
4.1-Reducing Accidents Involving Aggressive Driving

Objective
4.1 A-Deter Aggressive Driving in Specific Populations, Including those with a History of Such Behavior, and at Specific Locations

Strategy
4.1 A1-Target Enforcement

Agency and Jurisdiction
Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Problem(s) Identified
Aggressive driving in various forms is causing crashes on city streets and is assumed to be overrepresented in crashes. Traffic law enforcement needs to target aggressive behavior.

Goals and Objectives Established
Conduct target enforcement coupled with carefully designed public information. Reduce crashes caused by aggressive driving.

Description of Strategy Implemented
Based on crash data, the Milwaukee Police Department selected intersections or small sections of roadways where aggressive driving appeared to be contributing to crashes. With assistance from NHTSA, the police conducted intensive periods of enforcement. What helped make the program unique was the role of the Milwaukee safety coordinator, who interacted with the media through the development of catchy names for the enforcement program.

Summary of Implementation Effort (Lessons Learned)
Although all laws were to be enforced, the target was the contributing aggressive driving. Because of the efforts to attract attention to the program, the media gave the enforcement extensive coverage. Effectively, persons were alerted that their driving in a certain manner at the targeted location could result in a ticket. This enforcement was done over 6 months, generally spending several weeks per location. The use of catchy titles for the program helped encourage widespread media coverage, both print and broadcast. Additionally, the city created flyers and posters that were distributed widely.

Summary of the Results
Initial measurements showed that the traffic violation being targeted, e.g., red-light running, decreased during the period of enforcement. At some locations, crashes were found to decrease also. However, at the time of reporting, there had been no longer-term evaluation conducted at any of the locations. The question of whether persons had violated the targeted law less frequently could not be answered. One of the difficulties that arose was that the originator and coordinator of the program left the city shortly after the program was completed. There was no record that any successor provided follow-up evaluation.

Contact Person and Information
Milwaukee Police Department (ask to speak to someone about their previous aggressive-driving program; as of this writing, the safety coordinator position was not filled).

See also "Evaluation of the Aggression Suppression Program." Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Final Report. DOT HS 809 395, May 2001. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/research/AggressionWisc/index.htm.