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Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program
Master Plan
STATE OF VERMONT
Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program
5 Park Row
Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone 802.241.5505 • Fax 802.241.5558
Table of Contents
CONTACT INFORMATION
MISSION STATEMENT
PROGRAM AREAS
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Occupant Protection/Child Passenger Safety
Emergency Medical Services
Traffic Records
Speed
Youth
Roadway Safety/Pedestrians and Bicycles/Motorcycle Safety
VERMONT’S PLANNED HIGHWAY SAFETY ACTIVITIES FOR 2008 (PROPOSED)
Direct Enforcement
Enforcement Grants
Safe Highways Accident Reduction Program (Sharp)
DUI Programs
Mobilizations
Start
ENFORCEMENT‐SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Coordinator of Alcohol Traffic Safety Programs
Law Enforcement Liaisons
Traffic Resource Attorney
Police Equipment Rewards
Drug Recognition Experts
Department of Liquor Control
Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge
Law Enforcement Conferences
DUI Equipment Support
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Child Passenger Safety Program
Youth Alcohol and Traffic Safety Program
Motorcycle Safety Program
Vermont Workplace Traffic Safety Program
Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program
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Table of Contents
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (CONT)
Community Traffic Safety Program
Elementary Education Traffic Safety Program
EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Paid Media
Lifesavers Event
Promotional Partners
Rollover Convincer
Skid Monster Program
EVALUATION
Traffic Records Data Improvement/Traffic Records Assessment
Law Enforcement Crash Data Analyst
Crash Data Report
Telephone/Observational Surveys
Behavioral Risk Survey
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATIONS
HSP 217 (PRELIMINARY)
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Contact Information
Kerry Sleeper, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety
103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671‐2101
Phone 802‐241‐5200
Francis X. Aumand III, Director, Criminal Justice Services
103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671‐2101
Phone 802‐241‐5488
Governor’s Highway Safety Program
5 Park Row, Waterbury, VT 05671‐3201
Jeanne Johnson, Coordinator
jejohnso@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5501
Susan Aikman, Grants Management Specialist
saikman@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5504
Robert King, Grants Program Manager
rking@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5519
Michele Laberge, Child Passenger Safety Specialist
mlaberge@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5503
Steve Reckers, Alcohol Safety Program Coordinator
sreckers@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5505
Betsy Ross, Public Information Officer
bross@dps.state.vt.us Phone 802‐241‐5511
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Mission
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program facilitates and supports, with federal grants, a
statewide network to promote safe driving behavior on the highways. Groups supported
include community traffic safety programs, state, county and municipal traffic law
enforcement; and state Departments of Liquor Control, Public Safety and Health. Major
program areas are occupant protection (safety belts, child passenger safety and motor‐
cycle helmets), impaired driving, speed, and motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle safety.
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Chapter
1
Problem Identification &
Planning Process
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HE 2008 Vermont Highway Safety Plan has had the benefit of more data analysis and
problem identification research than any previous plan. Vermont’s Strategic Highway Safety
Planning initiative kicked off in December 2006 guided by the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
The initiative brought safety partners from all over the State together to review traffic crash data
for the purpose of choosing priorities. The group was presented data research organized
according to the Comprehensive Emphasis Areas developed by American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials. Based upon the analysis presented, over 100 Vermont
safety advocates chose the emphasis areas they felt would result in the greatest reduction in
serious traffic crashes. Of the seven emphasis areas, five were behavioral issues – impaired,
aggressive, and distracted driving, failure to use safety belts and overrepresentation in crashes of
young drivers. The other two areas chosen were run off road crashes and intersection operation.
The 2008 Master Plan for the Governor’s
Highway Safety Program continues to
Vermont Safety Belt Use Rate
emphasis the issues of impaired driving,
occupant protection and young driver
90%
improvement. The selection of these issues
by the Vermont Strategic Highway Safety
80%
Plan group validates the efforts the
Highway Safety Program has been pursu‐
70%
ing since its origination. The Highway
Safety Program fully supports the initia‐
tives of the State’s Strategic Plan and staff
60%
members sit on many of the working
group’s developed in support of Strategic
50%
Plan actions.
The projects chosen to be supported by the
Vermont Highway Safety Program are
strategies that are working for Vermont. To combat drinking and driving, the threat of being
caught driving impaired is an effective deterrent. So, we have an active program of law
enforcement patrols and checkpoints to put officers on the street to both give the impression
that if you drink and drive, you will be caught and to actually catch and prosecute as many
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impaired drivers as possible. The threat of a ticket is also effective in encouraging motorists to
Buckle Up. On that front we participate in the NHTSA Click It or Ticket campaigns and pursue an
active public education effort. Because young drivers are an area of increased interest both
locally and nationally, the Vermont
Program puts special emphasis on
Vermont Safety Belt Use Rate
that part of the driving population to
grow safer drivers through peer‐to‐
90%
peer educational activities. We
80%
believe the mix of enforcement of
highway safety laws, the education
70%
of the public to safer habits and the
increased attention paid to our
60%
newest drivers will continue to show
50%
the improvements Vermont has
realized in the past decades.
On July 17, 2006, Kerry Sleeper,
Commissioner of Public Safety and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative, called a law
enforcement summit to look for ways to address this year’s spike in highway fatalities. At that meeting,
the enforcement community identified the need to focus on speeding in all jurisdictions.
Each of these intensive efforts involved in‐depth data analysis and brought together, on issues of
mutual concern, partners who do not usually work together, empowering the groups to make
decisions about priorities and mutual goals. And, in each gathering, it was clear that behavioral issues
are in the greatest need of attention and offer the best potential savings in human life. The need was
recognized for involving all five “E”s (engineering, education, enforcement, emergency medical services
and evaluation), and brainstorming activity offered an opportunity to begin to work more
collaboratively.
While there may be no new resources to address problems, identifying problems areas that can officer
the greatest improvements and addressing it with multiple tactics and multiple partners may create
results never achieved before. Only time will tell whether these efforts will reap results. However,
with increased traffic and decreased motorist patience, the issues on roadways are growing, and new
approaches are needed. Previous large group meetings of nontraditional partners have generated
reports, but little real change in the way business is done. Whether this momentum can be maintained
to continue the cross‐agency and cross‐funding source communication to solve problems based on
priorities remains to be seen. However, the potential is tremendous, and the energy of participants
could provide a great deal of benefit to the citizens of Vermont in lives and financial savings.
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Alcohol and
Other Drugs
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Alcohol and Other Drugs
Problem
Identification
Problem
Statement
Goals
Vermont is much improved in the area of alcohol‐related crashes. Recent data
from NHTSA shows Vermont has one of the lowest rates of alcohol‐related
deaths per 100 million miles traveled in the country for the 2005 calendar
year. The rate of 0.39 is well below the national rate of 0.59. Alcohol related
deaths now remain constant at around 30 per year and our rate per MMT is
slightly up. In light of the growing population, many officials believe it will be
difficult to have any real reduction below the current figure.
According to crash data, alcohol crash‐involved drivers are overwhelmingly
male (75%) and between 18 and 34 years old (56%). We have noted a slight
shift in the gender of DUI alcohol‐related crash operators, with a higher
percent of females being involved.
All highway users in Vermont are endangered by those who continue to drink
and drive. All of Vermont is at risk, although it is most severe in Franklin and
Rutland counties. The most common violators are 18 ‐ 34 year old males.
Evening and late night are the most “at‐risk” times to be on the road with
65% of alcohol‐involved crashes occurring between 6 PM and 2 AM.
Reduce alcohol‐related traffic fatalities to less than .34 per 100 VMMT by
2011 (three‐year average 2004‐2006 = .38)
Reduce alcohol‐related traffic fatalities to less than .30 per 100 VMMT by 2016
Objectives
Reduce the incidence of alcohol and other drug impaired driving
Increase the perception and reality of detection and apprehension of
impaired drivers
Reduce recidivism of impaired drivers
Increase the perception and reality of swift and certain sanctioning of
driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Increase the awareness of the consequences of alcohol and other drugs on
driving ability
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Increase the awareness of the financial, social and personal impact of
driving while impaired
Objectives
Reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs in the at‐risk population
Continue campaigns such as You Drink, You Drive, You Lose and DUI, You
Can’t Afford It that combine intensive education with high‐visibility law
enforcement efforts
Supporting
Activities
Act 117 regional and community DUI enforcement program
Alcohol Detection Equipment and Support
Breath Alcohol Mobile Testing Units (BAT MOBILES)
Community Traffic Safety Programs
Department of Liquor Control Youth Programs
Department of Liquor Control Compliance Checks
DUI Resource Attorney
Emergency Nurses Cancel Alcohol‐related Emergencies (ENCARE)
Lifesavers Event
Macro and Behavioral Surveys
Law Enforcement Liaisons
Public Information Officer
Sheriffs’ Association *DWI hotline
Stop Teen Alcohol Risk Teams (START)
Vermont State Police DUI enforcement
Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge
Sheriff’s Association It’s Fake Teen Use ID hotline
START Report on Underage Drinking Hot Line
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Occupant
Protection/Child
Passenger Safety
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Occupant Protection/
Child Passenger Safety
Problem
Identification
The continued efforts of GHSP, its public and private sector partners and law
enforcement agencies paid off in 2007 when Vermont achieved an 87%
(preliminary) safety belt use rate. We have run two Click It or Ticket campaigns
every year for the past half‐decade, yet youth and male pickup truck drivers,
especially in rural areas, continue to be the most difficult population to
convince that buckling up is a worthwhile safety measure. We achieved this
rate with repeated CIOT campaigns and, in 2007, frequent reporting of the
legislative debate concerning a standard enforcement law. The law passed in
the Vermont House; the Senate will discuss it in the second year of the
biannual session.
CPS programs in Vermont target the entire family with the idea that
unrestrained passengers are a threat to all occupants. In addition, if children
themselves learn the use of restraints at an early age, life‐long use is more
likely to occur.
Problem
Statement
Goals
Southeastern and Northeastern Vermont have the lowest rates. The regions
abut the Massachusetts and New Hampshire borders, both states with low
belt use. Young adults are less likely to be belted and most likely to be involved
in a crash. By increasing the belt use in that population, we can reduce the
injuries sustained and the overall cost of traffic crashes in Vermont.
Children most likely to be injured in crashes on Vermont roadways are
between the ages of 8 and 17. Continued emphasis on booster seat use will
help reduce these injuries. Advocates who deal with families (law
enforcement, health care personnel, child care providers and schools) must
also be trained in current and consistent information.
Increase and sustain the safety belt use rate above 85 percent (three‐year
average = 84.5%) and decrease fatalities of children ages 0‐17 to less than
.05 per 1,000 of population by 2012 (three‐ year average 2004‐2006 of
.061).
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Goals
Increase the safety belt use rate in Vermont to 90 percent by 2015.
Decrease fatalities of children ages 0‐17 to less than .04 per 1,000 by
2015.
Objectives
Supporting
Activities
Continue Click It or Ticket campaigns, proven to ratchet up safety belt use
in Vermont
Provide occupant protection training to law enforcement officers, fire
fighters, and rescue squads
Increase knowledge and promotion of occupant restraint use issues in
doctors’ offices, hospitals, birthing centers, schools, and child care centers
Encourage medical professionals to promote occupant restraint use
during routine medical encounters
Support initiatives that increase safety belt use proven to be the most
effective and least expensive way to increase use
Help Vermont parents to correctly use child safety seats and restraints
every time children are transported
Increase the number of permanent fitting stations
Increase the knowledge of CPS best practices to day care providers,
school officials and health care personnel
Vermont Law Enforcement Programs
Annual Safety Belt Use Survey
Child Passenger Safety Classes
Community Traffic Safety Program
Rollover Demonstration and Education Program
Department of Liquor Control Youth Programs
Elementary Education Presentations
Emergency Medical Services Programs
Emergency Nurses CARE
Fitting Stations
GHSP Safety Seat Inspections
Lifesavers Event
Law Enforcement Liaisons
Public Information and Education Material
Soccer Boy Educational Campaign
Technician Training
Tot‐Seat Hotline
Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge
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Emergency Medical
Services
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Emergency Medical Services
Problem
Identification
Problem
Statement
Emergency medical teams in Vermont respond to nearly all highway
crashes. The Vermont emergency medical response system is a mixture of
private (commercial), volunteer and municipal teams. There is not a
statewide database to track squad response activity. Establishing and
maintaining a statewide Emergency Medical Service (EMS) management
database would, for the first time, allow the Vermont EMS office to assess
the readiness, use and performance of EMS teams and individual team
members.
To properly assess the training, readiness and performance of the Vermont
emergency medical technicians and system, the Department of Heath,
Office of Emergency Medical Services, needs information. Currently, no
statewide information system is in place to track individual training or
incident response activity. Establishing and maintaining a statewide EMS
management database continues to be the biggest challenge facing the
Department of Health EMS office.
Short Range Establish and implement a statewide EMS database that
collects data from 75% of Vermont’s EMS squads by 2009
(2007 = 0%)
Goals
Long Range Identify relevant quality indicators by 2010
Objectives
Supporting
Activities
Identify elements needed to manage the statewide EMS system
Work to obtain buy‐in from individual EMS squads to support a
Statewide EMS database
Establishment of an EMS reporting system
Annual Emergency Medical Services Training Conference
Emergency Medical Services Training to Support National Curriculum
Lifesavers Event
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Traffic Records
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Traffic Records
Problem
Identification
Problem
Statement
Goals
The backbone of problem identification and evaluation of traffic problems is a
traffic records system. The current state of traffic records in Vermont is
inadequate to support an aggressive, data‐driven problem identification
project, but efforts to improve the system are progressing.
Vermont’s Agencies of Transportation and Public Safety are working to
implement web‐based crash reporting. We expect the work to continue to
eliminate multiple entry points and to make data available on a timelier basis.
Also underway is the GPS crash location project. AOT has purchased
equipment and is training officers across Vermont in the use of GPS data
collection and reporting. Full implementation will improve crash location
information and allow for better problem identification.
Vermont crash data is not available for up to eight months after the end of
each calendar year. Even then, the data is incomplete because it only contains
complete reports of the most severe crashes. The accuracy and reliability of
our data analysis and problem identification suffers from this delay and
absence of total information for all crashes.
Short Range Increase the percent of crashes for which a police report
is submitted to 90% by 2009 (2005 = 75%)
Long Range Increase the percent of crashes for which a police report
is submitted to 95% by 2014
Objectives
Improve the quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of crash
reports
Incorporate new technologies into the traffic records system to the
greatest extent possible to make reporting less burdensome
Coordinate and manage the traffic records on a system‐wide and
statewide basis
Provide appropriate data access to all users of the traffic records
system, including the public
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Form an effective, efficient and cooperative analytical network
among the highway safety community
Supporting
Activities
Support an active Traffic Records Committee
Maintain a traffic data analysis capability
Publish The Vermont Crash Data Resource Book
Lifesavers Event
Law Enforcement Liaisons
# of crashes as reported
# of crashes as reported % of known crash
by Law Enforcement
by Operator reports
with a Police
(Source: VAOT CRS)
(Source: DMV)
report submitted
Year:
2001
3,258
11,386
28.6%
2002
10,066
17,503
57.5%
2003
13,714
17,285
79.3%
2004
13,793
18,220
75.7%
2005
14,369
19,106
75.2%
Date of runs via VAOT's CRS: April 19, 2007
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% Change from
2001 Baseline
101%
177%
165%
163%
Speed
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Speed
Problem
Identification
Problem
Statement
Speed is involved in most crashes. Data shows speed is identified as a contribut‐
ing factor in 50% of fatal crashes and over 15% of all crashes. Not only can
speed cause a crash to occur, but higher speed contributes directly to the
severity of a crash when a crash occurs. Slowing down reduce both the number
and severity of crashes. In 2006, when a fatalities rose by nearly 50%, law
enforcement officials pledged to do as much as possible to redirect resources in
an effort to slow drivers down and save lives. It worked, 2006 ended up being a
nearly average year for fatalities in Vermont. The second half of the year was
well below the average for fatalities because of the awareness and actions
taken to slow traffic down.
Speed is an ever‐present factor in crashes. Lower speeds will reap fewer crashes
and less severe crashes. Roads and highways are posted for safe speeds, but
drivers often consider speed postings little more than guides.
Short Range Reduce the proportion of crashes with speed as the cause
to 16% by 2012 (2004 = 17.6%)
Goals
Objectives
Supporting
Activities
Long Range Reduce the proportion of crashes with speed as the cause
to 15% by 2017
Increase compliance with posted speed limits
Reduce the incidence of speeding in the 18‐24 age group
Increase the awareness of the consequences of speeding
Increase the perception and reality of apprehension
Community Traffic Safety Program
Countywide Safe Highways Accident Reduction Program (SHARP)
Department of Education Youth Programs
Enforcement video cameras
Lifesavers Event
Law Enforcement Liaisons
Speed Measuring Equipment
Speed Monitoring and Recording Trailer (SMART) Karts Vermont
Vermont Workplace Safety Program
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Youth
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Youth
Problem
Identification
Problem
Statement
Graduated Driver’s License program statistics are in for the first years of
implementation. Crash rates for 16‐year olds dropped 90 percent and have
held those reductions. Unfortunately, young drivers continue to be the
highest risk drivers on the road. Drivers 16 to 24 are consistently over‐
represented in the crash population. Drivers aged 17 through 20 are involved
in crashes at more than twice the expected level when compared to the
driving population. As drivers age, crash rates decline. After age 24, all age
groups are near or below what would be expected for crash incidences.
Young drivers are inexperienced, less likely to use safety belts, more likely to
speed, and take more chances and are more likely to drive under the influ‐
ence of alcohol. Changing any of these behaviors will help reduce crashes and
save young lives.
Short Range Increase safety belt use to 85% for 15 through 20 year olds
in fatal crashes by 2012 (three year average 2004‐2006 is 44%).
Goals
Decrease alcohol‐involved crash deaths for 15 through 20
year olds to 30% (three year average 2004‐06 = 40%)
Long Range Increase safety belt use to 90% for 15 through 20 year olds in
fatal crashes by 2016
Decrease alcohol‐involved crash deaths for 15 through 20
year olds to 20% of crashes by 2016
Objectives
Supporting
Activities
Support legislation to improve Graduated Licensing Program
Train law enforcement officers in the benefit of enforcing traffic safety
violations and alcohol zero tolerance laws
Increase the number of high schools participating in the Vermont Teen
Leadership Safety Program
Require the use of the new Teen Alcohol Safety Program database,
enabling law enforcement to better enforce underage drinking laws.
Department of Liquor Control Youth Programs
Governor’s Youth Leadership Conference
In‐School Traffic Safety Shows
Skid Monster Pilot
Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program
Youth Advisory Council
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Pedestrians & Bicycles
Roadway Safety
Motorcycle Safety
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Pedestrians & Bicycles
The Governor's Highway Safety Program recognizes that this category is a key highway safety
issue. However, both staffing and funding to ensure both pedestrians and cyclists remain safe on
Vermont roadways reside within the Vermont Agency of Transportation. While we remain com‐
mitted to helping whenever called upon, responsibility for this area lies with Vermont AOT.
Roadway Safety
Funding and authority reside with Vermont Agency of Transportation. Again, the Governor's
Highway Safety Program remains committed to working with any agency that needs assistance
regarding this topic, but staffing and funding lie within Vermont AOT. It is difficult to set goals
and objectives for other agencies, so we have removed this category from our report. However,
Section 164 funds are utilized to support the agency’s hazard elimination projects, including the
work zone campaign.
Motorcycle Safety
Responsibility, authority and funding for this category resides in the Department of Motor
Vehicles. However, in light of the recent large increases in both injuries and fatalities, GHSP is
exploring options to address the problem. We are working on a four‐part campaign that would
encompass the following:
1. A targeted drinking and riding campaign where we would partner with the Department
of Liquor Control to identify establishments that are frequented by motorcyclists for
education initiatives.
2. A campaign targeting conspicuity and protective gear, including motorcycle awareness
month in May or June.
3. Partner with the Department of Motor Vehicles and law enforcement to modernize our
helmet laws and to work on enforcement of existing laws, including identifying fake or
novelty helmets.
4. A campaign of an ongoing nature to educate the motoring public on motorcycle
awareness. The majority of motorcycle fatalities are caused by motorists turning into
the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
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Planned Highway
Safety Activities for
2008
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Activities for 2008
We are planning our efforts to fit in with the initiative identified in the State of Vermont Strategic
Highway Safety Plan. Taking this approach, we are supporting the planning and countermeasure
development of other state agencies in areas identified as having the highest potential to
improve highway safety, save lives and reduce injuries and crashes.
2008 Enforcement Programs
(Proposed)
Vermont plans a significant investment in law enforcement management, support, coordination
and targeted enforcement.
Direct Enforcement
$ 450,000 Enforcement Grants
$ 450,000 Special DUI Grants (State Funds)
$1,750,000 State Police DUI Officers (State Funds)
$ 250,000 CIOT Mobilization Task Force
$ 200,000 Alcohol Mobilization Task Force
$ 360,000 Stop Teen Alcohol Risk Teams (START) (OJJDP Funds)
Vermont State Police, County Sheriffs, Municipal Police, Department of Motor Vehicles and
Constables active in traffic enforcement will participate in 402 and State‐funded DUI Enforce‐
ment Grants. In order to qualify, agencies analyze local crash data to identify problem locations
and times, and organize countermeasures that are often cooperative with other area agencies,
thereby increasing visibility of our campaigns. The grants are guided by policy created by a
working group of local, county and state police officials and highway safety program
representatives. Enforcement activities funded by these grants include representatives from law
enforcement agencies ranging from state police to constables. Some teams include persons from
other interested groups such as DMV Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Department of Liquor
Control, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State’s Attorney’s Office, and members of the media
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and press. Agencies working these details maintain a high visibility profile and make as many
stops/contacts as possible. Team members actively and aggressively enforce all motor vehicle,
highway safety, and other criminal and civil laws, as appropriate. Teams conduct education and
special enforcement patrols, including highway safety and sobriety checkpoint operations.
Activities are reported in detail to the Governor’s Highway Safety office.
Our DUI grants target areas and times of known DUI activity. For example, weekend nights in ski
resort areas, Super Bowl Sunday, and the start of college terms. Grant applications must specify
when extra officers will be used, and data must support such applications. In addition, we are
requiring extra patrols dedicated to the national campaign pushes, or dictating specific times
when some funding must be used to support state‐wide efforts.
Four mobilizations are planned for 2008, two for safety
belts and two for impaired driving. If sufficient funds are
available, each campaign will be backed by paid and earned
media. The mobilizations will be planned and implemented
as we have done so in past years, utilizing a task force of
highly motivated officers and providing time‐targeted funds
to local and sheriffs’ departments coupled with intensive
education and media to create a very highly visibility
campaign.
Stop Teen Alcohol Risks Teams (START) is a program managed by the Vermont Department of
Health. It was started by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns as a direct result of alcohol‐
related teen deaths in Vermont. The League organized a training event for all interested Vermont
police officers. The training focused on the community‐school‐police partnership in Arizona that
is combating teen drinking. Vermont police officers established coalitions roughly based on
county lines to address the teen drinking problem. The coalitions of officers from various local
agencies band together to interrupt teen‐drinking events. The officers confiscate alcohol, cite
underage drinkers and, whenever possible, identify the source of alcoholic beverages. The Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) continues to provide overtime funding for
response to reported underage drinking events. GHSP supports this program in any manner
possible, knowing it gets underage drinkers off our roadways.
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Enforcement Support
$ 85,000 Coordinator of Alcohol Traffic Safety Programs (State Funds)
$ 80,000 State Law Enforcement Liaison
$ 75,000 Vermont Association of Chief’s of Police Law Enforcement Liaison
$ 75,000 Vermont Sheriff’s Association Law Enforcement Liaison
$ 79,000 Traffic Safety Resource Attorney
$ 70,000 Police Equipment Mobilization Rewards
$ 61,500 Drug Recognition Expert Program Support
$ 100,000 Liquor Control Enforcement and Outreach Vehicle
$ 29,000 Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge Awards Program
$ 10,650 State and Regional Traffic Safety Conferences
DUI Equipment Support Program (State Funds)
The legislatively established Coordinator of Alcohol Traffic Safety Programs monitors and
coordinates all state and participating county and municipal programs that deal with alcohol
traffic safety activities, including prevention, education, enforcement, adjudication and
rehabilitation. The Coordinator, in consultation with all involved state and local agencies,
develops a cooperative, comprehensive plan to reduce the incidence of drinking and driving in
Vermont, study alcohol traffic problems, collect data for general and specialized use, and
recommend law or rule changes to alcohol‐use policy.
GHSP makes every effort to ensure enforcement dollars are spent for the greatest benefit.
Therefore we have created a small network of highly‐qualified and well respected law
enforcement liaisons. Each liaison has been assigned areas of responsibility to support local law
enforcement by providing advice, data, communication and coordination among multiple
agencies. In addition, the liaisons work to find ways to promote vigorous, effective and sustained
enforcement of traffic laws on an ongoing basis. The LEL’s advise GHSP what resources
enforcement agencies need to be proactive along with helping said agencies get the most out of
GHSP programs. The LEL’s will also provide training on traffic safety programs to any agency
participating in our programs.
The Traffic Safety Resource Attorney supports the efforts of all enforcement officers, including
State’s Attorneys, by providing legal support, training and advice, policy and procedure guidance
and community education. Located in the Office of State’s Attorneys, the Resource Attorney
supports efforts to remove and sanction drivers arrested for driving after drinking. The Resource
Attorney also provides legal support on appeals with statewide or constitutional impact or in
areas where local prosecutors have limited experience. The Resource Attorney works with
various agencies to improve DUI laws and their applications and the Department of Health to
maintain acceptability of the DataMaster Infrared breath testing equipment.
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Police Equipment Rewards were a highly effective method of encouraging participation in
mobilizations. Department heads must justify to governing bodys’ reasons for cruisers to leave
normal patrol areas, and equipment that did not affect town coffers was a strong incentive.
Rewards were funded under TEA‐21 section 163, a program that has ended. We are hoping to
reinstitute awards at some point in the near future.
The Drug Recognition Expert Program is supported by GHSP, which provides funding for training
of additional officers, the annual conference and ensuring that DRE tests are not discarded
because of a lack of resources to pay for testing.
The Department of Liquor Control has been using a GHSP van as a command post, DUI
processing center and educational display for several years. DLC appears at large public
gatherings, county field days, festivals and sporting events where illegal alcohol activity can be
expected. DLC has paid for most of the expenses of the van, but major systems have failed. We
will replace this valuable resource for state law enforcement.
To encourage all departments to focus on traffic safety enforcement and education, and to
maintain appropriate policies, training and procedures, the Law Enforcement Liaison developed
the Vermont Law Enforcement Challenge. Modeled on the IACP program, all Vermont entries
are scored in Vermont to qualify for local prizes and then sent on to the national competition to
be judged again by national standards. This provides departments two opportunities to achieve
recognition and to be awarded equipment supporting traffic enforcement efforts.
Vermont held its first Traffic Safety Summit last year, designed for enforcement and highway
safety officials to learn from professionals around the country. GHSP intends to plan further Law
Enforcement Conferences to continue learning, planning and networking opportunities on both a
regional and statewide basis.
Vermont Highway Safety purchased four Mobile Breath Alcohol Testing Vehicles (BAT‐Mobiles), is
working with the Department of Health on replacing Datamasters and supports law enforcement
with hand‐held breath testers as part of our DUI Equipment Support Program. The BAT‐Mobiles
provide a means for law enforcement officers to conduct on‐site, evidentiary tests of suspected
impaired drivers. The capability to do on‐site testing encourages sobriety checkpoints, alcohol
enforcement at events where alcohol is present and give enforcement agencies capability to
process suspects at remote locations (i.e. at farm keg parties or informal camp sites). These
roaming “billboards” contribute to high visibility enforcement. The new Datamasters will require
training and support as they are brought into the system.
21
Education
$ 200,850
$ 209,430
$ 200,000
$ 60,000
$ 41,870
$ 20,000
$ 12,000
$ 9,000
Child Passenger Safety Program
Youth Alcohol and Traffic Safety Program
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program
Vermont Workplace Traffic Safety Program
Center for Teen Leadership and Safety
Community Traffic Safety Program
Emergency Nurses CARE (ENCARE)
Elementary Education Traffic Safety Presentation
The Child Passenger Safety Program is managed within GHSP. A statewide network of tech‐
nicians, clinics, permanent fitting stations and periodic inspections is supported with data
collection, supplies, training and public education.
The Vermont Department of Liquor Control hosts the Youth Alcohol and Traffic Safety Program
through a grant from GHSP. This statewide program uses teens for peer‐to‐peer education and
training, along with activities related to traffic safety, such as promoting safety belt use and
responsible driver and passenger decisions.
With the rise of motorcycle fatalities over recent years, GHSP will work to complement the
Vermont Rider Education Program (VREP) of the Department of Motor Vehicles through a
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program. We plan to work with a variety of partners to bring
public education and enforcement support to highlight and mitigate the special problems
confronting motorcyclists in Vermont.
Housed at the Department of Labor, the Vermont Workplace Traffic Safety Program
Coordinator works cooperatively within state government with occupational safety and health
issues related to traffic safety issues such as occupant protection and impaired driving. The
Coordinator also works with private sector business leaders as well as leaders of individual
businesses to promote safety on the road and to encourage those leaders and managers to
recognize the road as part of the workplace.
22
The Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program is a teen‐led program
exhibiting leadership and promoting positive role models in High
Schools. Teens provide cross‐age peer‐to‐peer training for elementary
and middle schools. The annual Governor’s Youth Leadership
Conference is planned and executed by these students as are various
events throughout the year to promote healthy life choices especially
where roadway and traffic safety is concerned.
Vermont has only one remaining Community Traffic Safety Program. However, it is located in the
Northeast Kingdom, one of the areas of the state in most need of traffic safety services with high
DUI rates and low belt use rates.
ENCARE is emergency room nurses that volunteer to promote traffic
safety, including overseeing the THINK program, where road signs are
placed at the site of alcohol‐related fatal crashes. GHSP supports these
nurses through a small grant to help with presentations, equipment and
education material.
It is always a goal of GHSP to start traffic safety messages as early as possible so safe habits are
developed in childhood. GHSP supports the Elementary Education Traffic Safety Presentations to
promote early traffic safety education in an age appropriate format.
23
Education Support
$622,000
$ 56,000
$ 3,750
Media Development and Paid Media Campaigns
Educational Programs Support Vehicles
Lifesaver Recognition Awards
Rollover Convincer Demonstration and Education Program
Skid Monster Program
To the extent funding is available, Paid Media will be utilized to support earned media and PSA
material during our Click It or Ticket; You Drink, You Drive, You Lose and Child Passenger Safety
promotion campaigns. Messages and materials will be developed and targeted to appropriate
regions and audiences based on available data, surveys and crash data analysis. We will continue
to produce and air top commercial spots promoting highway safety messages and work in
partnership with law enforcement agencies to get local press coverage of our issues.
Educational programs and activities require the movement of materials and equipment. Over the
years, we have procured vehicles to move the materials and equipment around the state to
support the efforts of the child passenger program and the Teen Leadership Safety Program. Due
to age and system deterioration, we now require replacement of the vehicles. These program
specific vehicles allow our projects to continue in the most safe and efficient manner.
The annual Lifesaver “Highway Hero” Awards provides an opportunity to thank the many
partners of GHSP, who support our initiatives throughout the year. Many of our supporters work
behind the scenes and this is a chance to point out all the good work that gets accomplished.
GHSP recognizes the value of “partnerships.” Therefore over the past several years we have
engaged in Promotional Partnerships with professional sports venues throughout the state. For
example, we are the lead sponsor of the Vermont Voltage, a professional soccer team located in
Franklin County. This area of the state has one of the worst safety belt rates in Vermont. By
promoting the Voltage, the team promotes safety belt use by wearing the Click It or Ticket logo
on their jerseys, and announcing safety belt messages at every home game. The team also has
youth soccer camps and promotes child passenger issues at every camp.
The Rollover Convincer is a device that demonstrates the difference in a rollover crash between
belted and unbelted occupant dummies. The unbelted dummies are thrown out of the convincer,
whereas the belted dummies are kept safe and secure within the convincer. The device is being
used with great success all over the state to promote safety belt use. It is housed, transported
and maintained by the Vermont Sheriff’s Association.
Young drivers do not get the feeling of being out of control in a vehicle until the situation may put
their life in jeopardy. The Skid Monster Program allows a vehicle to demonstrate the feel and
consequence of losing control at low speeds. By allowing the loss of control to occur in a
controlled environment, young drivers can learn the correct way to recover and avoid crashes as
a result of loss of control. The equipment was purchased with 402 funds, but the program
continues with 100% local support.
24
Evaluation
$1,300,000
$ 65,000
$ 35,000
$ 32,000
$ 15,000
$ 35,000
$ 2,700
Traffic Records Data Improvement Project
Law Enforcement Crash Record Data Analyst
Crash Data Report
Safety Belt Observational Surveys
Telephone Surveys
Child Passenger Safety Restraint Use Surveys
Department of Health Risk Behavior Survey
GHSP utilizes a variety of tools to evaluate the success of programs and movement toward our
goals. We know that data must drive our programs and dictate where we expend our resources.
Therefore, we are engaged in major Traffic Records Data Systems improvements in conjunction
with the Agency of Transportation, police agencies across the state, the Departments of Motor
Vehicles, Public Safety and Health and the Vermont Courts system.
A Law Enforcement Crash Data Analyst researches serious and fatal crashes to provide “fresh”
data to allow enforcement to respond tactically to emerging crash trends. While trends for fatal
crashes are usually current, other crash data is not as well reported nor analyzed. Law
enforcement representatives of all types from all over the state crave current crash data and
analysis. A primary responsibility is reporting trends to all agencies on a monthly basis.
The Crash Data Report is an annual compilation of traffic data that allows assessment of progress
over time and is used to help guide decisions on expenditure of funds.
Telephone Surveys and NHTSA‐sanctioned Observational Surveys will be utilized to evaluate the
effectiveness of the safety belt mobilization and educational efforts. We are also planning Child
Restraint Use and Parent CPS Surveys to evaluate the child passenger safety program progress
and needs.
The Department of Health administers a Behavioral Risk Survey, and requests a contribution
toward costs when questions regarding impaired driving or other highway safety topics are
included.
25
Emergency Medical Services
$8,000 EMS Conference Support
GHSP contributes funding to the Emergency Medical Services Training Conference. Funding is
used to bring in speakers on highway safety issues, which helps keep down the cost of training for
local EMS technicians.
Engineering
Section 164 funds are used for Hazard Elimination projects, which include risk reduction activities
applied to the High Accident Location list, and activities to reduce crashes such as work zone
education and enforcement. In addition Strategic Highway Safety Planning initiatives include five
behavioral issues (safety belts, impaired, distracted and fatigued driving and aggressive driving)
and two engineering issues (run‐off road crashes and intersection crashes). However, almost all
of these efforts to reduce crashes will have an engineering component, and Agency of Trans‐
portation Engineers are being very supportive and cooperative, working closely with behavioral
specialists to seek solutions and reduce crashes.
26
State Certifications and Assurances
Revised 8/25/05
Failure to comply with applicable Federal statutes, regulations and directives may subject State
officials to civil or criminal penalties and/or place the State in a high risk grantee status in
accordance with 49 CFR §18.12.
Each fiscal year the State will sign these Certifications and Assurances that the State complies
with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and directives in effect with respect to the
periods for which it receives grant funding. Applicable provisions include, but not limited to, the
following:
•
23 U.S.C. Chapter 4 ‐ Highway Safety Act of 1966, as amended;
• 49 CFR Part 18 ‐ Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative
Agreements to State and Local Governments
•
49 CFR Part 19 ‐ Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations
•
23 CFR Chapter II ‐ (§§1200, 1205, 1206, 1250, 1251, & 1252) Regulations governing
highway safety programs
• NHTSA Order 462‐6C ‐ Matching Rates for State and Community Highway Safety
Programs
•
Highway Safety Grant Funding Policy for Field‐Administered Grants
Certifications and Assurances
The Governor is responsible for the administration of the State highway safety program through a
State highway safety agency which has adequate powers and is suitably equipped and organized
(as evidenced by appropriate oversight procedures governing such areas as procurement,
financial administration, and the use, management, and disposition of equipment) to carry out
the program (23 USC 402(b) (1) (A));
The political subdivisions of this State are authorized, as part of the State highway safety
program, to carry out within their jurisdictions local highway safety programs which have been
approved by the Governor and are in accordance with the uniform guidelines promulgated by the
Secretary of Transportation (23 USC 402(b) (1) (B));
At least 40 per cent of all Federal funds apportioned to this State under 23 USC 402 for this fiscal
year will be expended by or for the benefit of the political subdivision of the State in carrying out
local highway safety programs (23 USC 402(b) (1) (C)), unless this requirement is waived in
writing;
The State will implement activities in support of national highway safety goals to reduce motor
vehicle related fatalities that also reflect the primary data‐related crash factors within the State
as identified by the State highway safety planning process, including:
27
•
National law enforcement mobilizations,
•
Sustained enforcement of statutes addressing impaired driving, occupant protection,
and driving in excess of posted speed limits,
•
An annual statewide safety belt use survey in accordance with criteria established by
the Secretary for the measurement of State safety belt use rates to ensure that the
measurements are accurate and representative,
•
Development of statewide data systems to provide timely and effective data analysis to
support allocation of highway safety resources.
The State shall actively encourage all relevant law enforcement agencies in the State to follow
the guidelines established for vehicular pursuits issued by the International Association of
Chiefs of Police that are currently in effect.
This State's highway safety program provides adequate and reasonable access for the safe and
convenient movement of physically handicapped persons, including those in wheelchairs, across
curbs constructed or replaced on or after July 1, 1976, at all pedestrian crosswalks (23 USC 402(b)
(1) (D));
Cash drawdowns will be initiated only when actually needed for disbursement, cash dis‐
bursements and balances will be reported in a timely manner as required by NHTSA, and the
same standards of timing and amount, including the reporting of cash disbursement and
balances, will be imposed upon any secondary recipient organizations (49 CFR 18.20, 18.21, and
18.41). Failure to adhere to these provisions may result in the termination of drawdown
privileges);
The State has submitted appropriate documentation for review to the single point of contact
designated by the Governor to review Federal programs, as required by Executive Order 12372
(Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs);
Equipment acquired under this agreement for use in highway safety program areas shall be used
and kept in operation for highway safety purposes by the State; or the State, by formal
agreement with appropriate officials of a political subdivision or State agency, shall cause such
equipment to be used and kept in operation for highway safety purposes (23 CFR 1200.21);
The State will comply with all applicable State procurement procedures and will maintain a
financial management system that complies with the minimum requirements of 49 CFR 18.20;
The State highway safety agency will comply with all Federal statutes and implementing
regulations relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88‐352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or
national origin (and 49 CFR Part 21); (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as
amended (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681‐1683, and 1685‐1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §794), which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps (and 49 CFR Part 27); (d) the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42U.S.C. §§ 6101‐6107), which prohibits discrimination
on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92‐255), as
amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the comprehensive
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970(P.L. 91‐616),
28
as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse of alcoholism; (g) §§ 523
and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. §§ 290 dd‐3 and 290 ee‐3), as
amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§ 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in
the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific
statute(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and, (j) the requirements
of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.
The Drug‐free Workplace Act of 1988(49 CFR Part 29 Sub‐part F):
The State will provide a drug‐free workplace by:
a. Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution,
dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the grantee's
workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violation of
such prohibition;
b. Establishing a drug‐free awareness program to inform employees about:
1. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace.
2. The grantee's policy of maintaining a drug‐free workplace.
3. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs.
4. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug violations occurring in the
workplace.
c. Making it a requirement that each employee engaged in the performance of the grant be
given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a).
d. Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a condition of
employment under the grant, the employee will ‐‐
1. Abide by the terms of the statement.
2. Notify the employer of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in
the workplace no later than five days after such conviction.
e. Notifying the agency within ten days after receiving notice under subparagraph (d) (2) from
an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction.
f.
Taking one of the following actions, within 30 days of receiving notice under subparagraph
(d) (2), with respect to any employee who is so convicted ‐
1. Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including
termination.
2. Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or
rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health,
law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.
g. Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug‐free workplace through
implementation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) above.
29
BUY AMERICA ACT
The State will comply with the provisions of the Buy America Act (23 USC 101 Note) which
contains the following requirements:
Only steel, iron and manufactured products produced in the United States may be purchased
with Federal funds unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that such domestic
purchases would be inconsistent with the public interest; that such materials are not reasonably
available and of a satisfactory quality; or that inclusion of domestic materials will increase the
cost of the overall project contract by more than 25 percent. Clear justification for the purchase
of non‐domestic items must be in the form of a waiver request submitted to and approved by the
Secretary of Transportation.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY (HATCH ACT).
The State will comply with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. §§ 1501‐1508 and implementing regulations
of 5 CFR Part 151, concerning "Political Activity of State or Local Offices, or Employees".
CERTIFICATION REGARDING FEDERAL LOBBYING
Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements
The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:
1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the
undersigned, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of