Resolution to Combat the Dramatic Increase in Traffic Fatalities

Submitted by: State and Provincial Police, State Associations of Chiefs of Police, Midsize Agencies, and Global Policing Divisions, and the Highway Safety Committee

SP.03.21

WHEREAS, patterns of motor vehicle traffic were significantly changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic across the entire world. These changes brought about significantly less travel and reduced congestion; and

WHEREAS, one of the side effects of the reduced congestion has been a dramatic increase in speeding with many agencies reporting twice the number of violators traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour/161 kilometers per hour; and

WHEREAS, enforcement and educational efforts related to traffic safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic were diminished as a result of social distancing and other health factors related to the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, over one year later, traffic fatalities across the world have markedly increased. Increases in 2020 when compared to 2019 include 7.2 % in the United States, 6.4% in Ireland, 21.4% in Switzerland, and 22% in Ontario, Canada; and

WHEREAS, anyone who uses a road to drive, bike, or walk, is now at greater risk of being injured or killed in a traffic crash. In 2020, while the United States experienced a 13.2% decrease in vehicle miles traveled, it saw an increase in the fatality rate to 1.37 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, an increase of 23% over 2019 and eroding over 13 years of progress; and

WHEREAS, in the United States the vast majority of serious crashes are due to dangerous choices or errors people make behind the wheel. Occupant ejections are up over 20%, speed as a factor in fatal crashes is up over 11%, alcohol impairment is up over 9%, drug impaired driving is increasing, and driver distraction remains an enormous problem. Incidents of egregious street racing and organized exhibition driving have also increased; and

WHEREAS, the Governors Highway Safety Association lists traffic fatalities as the second most deadly epidemic in the world, with 50,000,000 lives lost across the globe since 1960; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the value of traffic enforcement for traffic, public, and community safety. This enforcement must be data-driven and primarily focused on the behaviors most likely to injure or kill others. In most cases, this includes an emphasis on enforcing laws related to speed, occupant restraint, impairment, and distraction; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that traffic law enforcement action must occur by state, county, tribal, and municipal policing agencies with an emphasis on changing behaviors to keep people safe; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that traffic enforcement must have equity; the consistent, fair, just and impartial treatment of all individuals, as its foundation; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) believes in the value of public education when it comes to traffic safety. A commitment to education on this topic serves to prevent future injuries and deaths; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages police leaders and traffic safety officials to engage with stakeholders about stemming the increase in traffic fatalities by focusing on education, enforcement, engineering, and EMS as the four E’s of traffic safety.