Aggressive Driving: Appendix 4

Profiles of State and Local Agency Implementation Efforts: Strategy 4.1 A2 (Lubbock, Texas)

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 A2-Conduct Educational and Public Information Campaigns

Agency and Jurisdiction
City Traffic Engineer, Lubbock, Texas

Problem(s) Identified
As a result of a successful partnership with the Lubbock Police Department on reducing red-light running violations and crashes, the City Traffic Engineer developed an aggressive-driver program. This program, Halt Aggressive Driving (HAD), was to apply the same techniques used in the red-light program: identification of locations where problems exist, police enforcement, community partnership, and extensive publicity.

Goals and Objectives Established
Reduce the incidence of aggressive driving and crashes resulting from such driving.

Description of Strategy Implemented
The City Traffic Engineer, through crash analysis, has identified sites where aggressive driving has been linked to crashes. This information is shared with the Lubbock Police Department, which has an aggressive-driving patrol. The purpose of the patrol is to concentrate on those acts that have contributed to aggressive-driving crashes and at those locations. What has been important about the program has been the significant involvement of the community through its Citizen's Traffic Commission. The extensive publicity campaign they have mounted has also been an important element of the program.

Summary of Implementation Effort (Lessons Learned)
What sets the publicity campaign apart has been its depth and sophistication. The broadcast spots are made professionally, but at low cost through assistance from the broadcast studios and donations of time by notables used for the spots. The city buys air time for broadcasting these spots. Additionally, the city uses unsold billboard space for no cost. The city has paid for the materials and pays the labor for placing the sign.

Both the Board of Education and Texas Tech have implemented aggressive-driving programs for their respective students. The aim is to reach middle and high school students, as well as the college-age driver.

Summary of the Results
As of mid-2002, this program has been operating for more than 1 year. During this time, the city has surveyed residents to determine how well the publicity campaign has been working. There has been limited evaluation regarding the effectiveness of the program in terms of reducing the number of fatal and injury crashes. However, based upon surveys and interviews, the residents of Lubbock are fully aware of the program, and have shown complete support.

Contact Person and Information
Jere Hart, City Traffic Engineer, Lubbock, Texas, Jhart@mail.ci.lubbock.tx.us.