Traffic Safety Update: October 2022
|
|
LAST DAY! Applications for 2023 DRE Schools Due TODAY, 10/12!
The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, also known as the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program, has received national acclaim for its success in identifying the drug- impaired driver. Officers trained as DREs are frequently called upon to assist with roadside incidents involving impaired drivers, and to differentiate between drug influence and medical and/or mental disorders. Their training is an extremely valuable tool in combating the adverse effects of impaired driving in Virginia. The training consists of a 72-hour classroom session, followed by a 40-hour Field Certification week. The training is at no cost, rooms are provided, and meals are reimbursed up to per diem.
Virginia's next two DRE courses are scheduled for:
-
Class Room: January 9-20, 2023 // Field Certification: February 13-18, 2023
-
Class Room: May 1-12, 2023 // Field Certification: June 5-10, 2023
|
|
National Teen Driver Safety Week — October 16-22
The Virginia DMV and its Highway Safety partners will be commemorating National Teen Driver Safety Week October 16-22 by educating teen drivers about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving and the importance of seat belt use.
Teen speeding and distracted driving are particularly dangerous due to the lack of experience of young drivers (ages 15-19), who are more likely to overcorrect, run off the road, or lose control of their vehicles. Total fatal crashes involving teen drivers are showing a decline while unrestrained fatalities are on the rise.
The table below shows preliminary 2022 data compared to 2021 for teen fatalities in each of the three focus areas: speed, distracted driving, and unrestrained, as well as the total number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
For available resources visit National Teen Driver Week
|
|
|
National School Bus Safety Week — October 17-21
|
|
|
October 17-21 is National School Bus Safety Week, a good time to remind motorists about the risks associated with illegally passing school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching the first national paid media campaign to help spread the word; it will run from October 10-31. Please help us amplify this message by sharing school bus safety messages on your channels. Read about school bus safety. Also TSM.GOV has materials available to share.
|
|
|
Motorcycle Safety Messaging
|
|
|
This fall, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles encourages motorcyclists to practice safe driving behaviors and encourages drivers to be aware of motorcyclists. This year, 84 motorcyclists have died in crashes. As some of the nicest riding days of the year for motorcyclists are in October and November, it's a good time to remind drivers to be on the lookout for motorcyclists on the roads — especially in areas where travelers are enjoying the beautiful fall foliage in Virginia.
|
|
|
|
DMV wants everyone to watch out for others and remember to drive defensively. Drivers should give motorcyclists more room on the roadway as the days become cooler, wetter and shorter. Motorcyclists are not always easily seen in traffic, so let's all share the road and ensure each other's safety. Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable in any collision and we want all motorists to return home safely every day.
Learn more with these links:
|
|
Halloween Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign
Halloween is a night of celebration, but it can also be a dangerous time on our roadways with increased pedestrians and impaired drivers. Last year around Halloween in Virginia, from Friday, October 29 through Sunday, October 31, 2021, there were 112 alcohol-related crashes, 55 injuries and two deaths. And, according to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.
|
|
|
Virginia DMV encourages you to help keep folks safe by educating Virginians on the dangers of risky behavior both behind the wheel and while walking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has downloadable Halloween messaging on its Traffic Safety Marketing website. You can use the social media playbook guide to help post messages to your agency’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
|
|
|
Another option is to share the Act Like It anti-drunk driving video on your agency’s social media outlets.
Additionally, Safe Kids has Halloween safety tips, infographics and flyers. As always, we appreciate your continued dedication to highway safety and saving lives.
|
|
|
UPCOMING TRAFFIC SAFETY TRAININGS
|
|
|
SFST Instructor Development Course
December 12-15, 2022
Fairfax Police Department, 14601 Lee Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
The SFST-IDC is designed to enable participants to develop the knowledge, skill and attitudes necessary to effectively fill roles as instructors in support of the NHTSA/IACP DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) training program which targets the detection of impaired drivers. This course is designed to train instructors to effectively teach and provide effective feedback to learners.
REQUIREMENTS: Participants should be law officers who are DCJS-certified General Instructors and have demonstrated proficiency in the administration of the SFST’s. They must have successfully completed the NHTSA/IACP SFST training Program.
Their reason for attending this training should be motivated by:
- a desire to develop and strengthen effective presentation skills.
- a desire to develop or strengthen skills as a DWI detection and SFST instructor
- a desire to learn how to conduct interactive participant-centered training
REGISTRATION: There is no registration fee to attend. To register or for additional information, email Corey Anop at corey.anop@dmv.virginia.gov.
|
|
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, or ARIDE, is a 16-hour course intended to bridge the gap between the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) courses. Police officers, prosecutors and toxicologist will learn how to observe, identify, and articulate the signs of impairment related to drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both. One of the more significant aspects is the review and required student demonstration of the SFST proficiency requirements. The ARIDE course also stresses the importance of securing the most appropriate biological sample to identify substances causing impairment.
REGISTRATION IS FREE! Attendees must register for and attend the entire two-day, 16-hour course. Course size is limited. Registration is first-come, first-served.
LOCATION / DATES / REGISTRATION:
|
|
Fundamentals of Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Courses
The Virginia Highway Safety Office has scheduled two Fundamentals of Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Courses for 2023. The locations and dates are:
|
|
|
February 6-17, 2023, (0800-1700)
Henrico County Police Training Facility
1919 Westmoreland St
Richmond, VA 23230
|
April 10-21, 2023, (0800-1700)
Crater Criminal Justice Training Academy
6130 County Drive
Disputanta, VA 23842
|
|
|
Description
This two-week course imparts the knowledge and skills required for detailed crash investigation by combining classroom lectures with practical field exercises.
Topics will include:
- Coefficient of friction
- Computing speeds from yaw marks and skid marks
- Vehicle and occupant kinematics
- Indicators of safety belt use
- Identifying and documenting evidence
- Traffic law
- Measuring the scene
- Scale diagramming
- Time and distance
Registration
Registration for the course is FREE. However, seating is limited to the first 25 Virginia law enforcement officers or Commonwealth Attorneys.
** Please remember the tuition for this course is free for Virginia Law Enforcement. However, the travel/lodging/per diem/other expenses are covered by the student and/or their agency.
To register, email Steve Williams at Steven.Williams@dmv.virginia.gov and provide the following information:
- Contact information for the person attending the class (i.e., name, department, phone number, and email address)
- Date and location of desired class
Materials Needed
Students should bring the following materials to class:
- An electronic calculator with a square root function
- A compass to draw circles
- Pencils
- Foul weather gear in case of inclement weather during field exercises
- A 50 or 100 foot measuring tape
Contact Steve Williams at Steven.Williams@dmv.virginia.gov with any questions or concerns.
|
|
|
|
