Associate Editor

A recently released state report shows that the number of traffic mishaps – including vehicle crashes and alcohol-related deaths – dropped in Osceola County in 2009 compared to the year before, in what local law enforcement agencies are calling effective traffic enforcement efforts.

Traffic fatalities in the county decreased from 55 to 50, according to Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data, after road deaths had increased from 52 in 2007 to 55 in 2008. Numbers also slid from the 68 and 65 deaths in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

The report, which detailed 2009 roadway statistics, included a breakdown of state and countywide statistics, including road fatalities, traffic crashes and alcohol-related deaths.

Osceola County in 2009 saw an overall vehicle crash reduction, with the number dropping from 2,810 in 2008 down to 2,795. That drop followed a small increase for the previous two-year period when the count went from 3,002 in 2006 to 3,004 in 2007.

In alcohol-related fatalities, Osceola County saw a drop from 23 to 17 from 2008 to 2009 after it had increased from 20 to 26 from 2006 to 2007.

Just how was local law enforcement able to help reduce crashes and fatalities?

Osceola County Sheriff's Office officials said the agency has taken an aggressive approach toward traffic enforcement. Sheriff Bob Hansell established an aggressive driving unit in 2007, where deputies drove unmarked cars to target aggressive drivers. These traffic units work to enforce traffic laws.

Traffic crash data is evaluated annually and enforcement efforts are focused on problem areas, Sheriff's Office officials said. The agency also participates in state and national saturation patrols and education programs, like Click It Or Ticket and Move Over.

“The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office takes a proactive approach to traffic enforcement that targets areas of concern and puts resources on roadways where they are most needed,” Hansell said. “We also collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, participate in public education campaigns and aggressively target drunk drivers.”

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office also took an aggressive approach toward impairment enforcement as well, authorities said. In 2009, the Sheriff's Office acquired an alcohol enforcement grant, which funded one specialized vehicle and, combined with three others funded by the Sheriff’s Office, the units worked DUI enforcement. The vehicles contain a breath sample instrument so deputies are able to stop impaired drivers and obtain an accurate breath sample in a timely manner, agency officials said.

In other data, reports showed that traffic-related injuries also dropped from 2,664 to 2,634 from 2008 to 2009.

How did the Kissimmee Police Department believe it had an effect?

“Kissimmee police proudly participate in national campaigns such as Click It Or Ticket. These campaigns add education along with enforcement to remind motorists to buckle up while driving. Wearing your seat belt decreases the fatality rate in a crash,” Kissimmee Police Department spokeswoman Stacie Miller said.

The department also educates children and teens about the dangers of texting while driving.

“Chief (Fran) Iwanski has taught several classes in the past few months to young adults on this topic. She also has added the ‘nag factor’ to get the kids to help remind parents about the dangers of texting and using cell phones while driving. She also will be a guest on Radio Disney in July discussing texting while driving,” Miller said.

Moreover, Kissimmee police’s DUI unit is vigilant on patrolling the streets in the evening looking for impaired drivers, Miller said.  Since Jan. 1, the police department has made 72 drunk-driving arrests. The agency also initiated a DUI checkpoint during Operation Full Force in September 2009, resulting in nine arrests.

“Education is paramount in preventing DUI. The department has conducted several presentations in conjunction with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), to teens in the area. The presentations are powerful and stress the dangers of being impaired behind the wheel,” Miller said.

In St. Cloud, the police department analyzes traffic crashes in the city and targets high-crash zones, Deputy Chief Vinny Shepard said. Traffic units then work those zones to target the problem.

And in drunk-driving enforcement, the agency has participated in checkpoints as well. But it also has placed advertising in newspapers about the dangers of driving while intoxicated and has erected head-turning displays at the department, such as the ghostly grim reaper at a mock crash site that appeared to be caused by a drunk driver.

“I think it's education overall,” Shepard said on the DUI crackdown.

Crash-related fatalities on Florida roadways decreased 14 percent between 2008 and 2009, from 2,983 to 2,563. It was the fourth consecutive year that traffic fatalities decreased. The number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled dropped to 1.3 last year — the lowest the state has ever reported, according to a state press release.

Some other statewide highlights are:

• Alcohol-related traffic fatalities fell by 14 percent between 2008 and 2009, from 1,169 to 1,004.

• Motorcycle fatalities (drivers and passengers) fell 24 percent between 2008 and 2009 from 532 to 402.

• Bicyclist and passenger fatalities decreased 15 percent between 2008 and 2009 from 118 to 100.

• Pedestrian fatalities decreased 4 percent.

• Fatalities of teen drivers and passengers, ages 15-19, fell by more than 20 percent between 2008 and 2009 from 193 to 153.

“The report shows that we are moving toward the Department’s vision of a safer Florida,” Safety and Motor Vehicle Department Executive Director Julie L. Jones said in a press release. “While multiple factors influence the numbers, the declining trends are a testament to the emphasis that law enforcement agencies, safety advocates and businesses have placed on saving lives on our roadways. DHSMV will continue to work with our safety partners to add to the momentum we have gained in recent years so that we continue to see crashes, deaths and injuries decline in years to come.”