Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS165   20022-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
AJS165 20022-20086 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Traffic Safety and Enforcement
Explores traffic safety issues and the justice system. Focuses on the goals and techniques of traffic enforcement, education and engineering.
Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS165   20022-20086 Traffic Safety and Enforcement
1. Identify and explain the purpose and goals of traffic safety. (I)
2. Identify and describe common areas of concern related to driver behavior and traffic safety. (II)
3. Identify and describe factors that may serve to bring about driver behavior modification. (II)
4. Explain the importance of the three "E's" of traffic safety. (III)
5. Identify and describe the technology available to aid traffic safety and enforcement. (IV)
6. Identify and describe current traffic safety resources and programs. (V)
7. Identify and describe the goals of traffic collision investigations. (VI)
8. Identify and explain current issues related to traffic safety and enforcement. (VII)
9. Outline the issues related to the future of traffic safety enforcement. (VIII)
10. Present an overview of the traffic safety and enforcement duties and activities of police officers. (I-IX)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS165   20022-20086 Traffic Safety and Enforcement
    I. Purpose and Goals of Traffic Safety: Enforcement Duty of Peace Officers
        A. Safety: reduction and prevention of crashes
          1. Crash statistics
          2. Human costs
          3. Monetary costs/insurance
        B. Public convenience/parking
        C. Traffic calming/quality of community life
        D. Tax/registration
        E. Crime reduction/detection
      II. Modification of Behavior in Drivers
          A. Areas of Concern
            1. Violation of speed limits
            2. Imprudent/inappropriate speed for conditions/locations
            3. Careless practices at intersections
            4. Monitoring of high crash areas
            5. Special enforcement situations
            6. School zones
            7. Other
          B. Motivations to change driver behavior
            1. Court and administratively imposed penalties
            2. Insurance rates
            3. Crash experience
            4. Embarrassment
            5. Education/defensive driving courses
            6. Other
        III. The three "E's" of Traffic Safety
            A. Education
            B. Engineering
            C. Enforcement
          IV. Use of Technology in Traffic Safety
              A. Measuring Speed
                1. VASCAR
                2. Radar
                3. Laser
              B. Red-light sensor cameras
                1. Radar
                2. Induction loops/piezo electric strips
                3. Video
              C. Speed cameras: streets, highways, and construction zones
                1. Mobile
                2. Fixed
              D. Speed display trailers
              E. Blood alcohol measures
              F. Mobile video systems
              G. NHTSA "Smart car"
              H. Motorcycles, unmarked and semi-marked cars
              I. Traffic signal-timing
            V. Traffic Safety Programs
                A. Child safety-seats/seat belts
                B. Truck weighing and inspection
                C. DUI/aggressive driver task forces
                D. Neighborhood speed watch
                E. Citizen hotlines
                F. Vehicle safety problem reporting
                G. Unsafe driver reporting
                H. Court monitoring(MADD/SADD)
                I. Medical review of drivers
                J. Pedestrian safety
                  1. Crosswalk usage
                  2. Visibility issues
                K. Pedalcyclist safety
                  1. Visibility issues
                  2. Lane usage
                  3. Helmets
                  4. Lights/reflectors
              VI. Goals of Traffic Collision Investigation
                  A. Causal factors
                  B. Liability
                  C. Identifying unsafe conditions
                  D. Prosecution
                VII. Current Issues in Traffic Enforcement
                    A. Liability
                    B. Complaints/community acceptance
                    C. Ethical issues
                    D. Prosecution/court acceptance
                    E. Officer motivation
                    F. Other
                  VIII. Future of Traffic Safety/Enforcement
                    IX. Continuum of Police Traffic Safety Activities
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