According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 42,795 traffic fatalities in 2022, with the top three causes of death being speeding, impaired driving, and lack of proper occupant restraint.

In response, FSU has partnered with Johns Hopkins University to develop and assess enforcement strategies that are designed to meet NHTSA's traffic safety and enforcement goals to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes.

The Innovative Approaches to Advancing Traffic Safety and Enforcement project involves two primary objectives. First, the project aims to develop innovative approaches for law enforcement to conduct speed, occupant protection, and impaired driving enforcement operations. The project is also conducting demonstration programs and evaluating the recommended strategies. Second, the project also aims to assess the national law enforcement liaison (LEL) program. This involves coordinating with 1-3 States to establish an LEL program where none exists or re-design existing programs to participate in the project. Once identified, project staff will measure the effectiveness of the LEL program in coordinating safety activities and reducing crash outcomes.

The FSU Policing Research and Policy Institute provides law enforcement expertise through advising and consultation. FSU investigators will develop innovative approaches to speed management/enforcement, seat belt and child passenger safety, and impaired driving enforcement strategies.

All partnering agencies will assist in creating a comprehensive task report to show the project's findings and highlight best practices.

CONTACTS

Faculty: Darrel W. Stephens

Graduate Student: Vladimir Kudryavtsev

Dates: 2022-2027

Funding Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through Johns Hopkins University

Funding Amount: $480,157