Officer Safety, Wellness, and Resiliency

Bureau of Justice AssistanceU.S. Department of Justice

Understanding the ProblemEach day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 others are injured in

crashes reported to involve a distracted driver.1 We, as law enforcement officers, are not immune! According

to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 365 law enforcement officers were killed in vehicle

crashes from 2008 to 2017.2 While we cannot identify the exact number of deaths caused by distracted driving,

this number shows that too many vehicle-related deaths of officers occur.

Unlike other professionals who have separate office space, our “offices” may be our patrol cars. Too often,

we attempt to multitask while driving because of the equipment we are expected to use. Most vehicles are

equipped with a license plate reader, radar, a computer, a radio, and a cell phone. Personal cell phone use is an

additional distraction. All of these tools are wonderful and can help us with our duties, but do not allow them to

stop you from mentally preparing to handle a complaint or prevent you from realizing in time that you need to

call for backup. Do not let distractions in your vehicle take your mind away from officer safety concepts!

Spotlight on Safety

Written by

Lieutenant Scott Keller

Distracted Driving and officer safety

Defining the Distractions

Visual DistractionVisual distraction occurs when you take your eyes off the road. Law enforcement work naturally involves visual distraction. Looking for traffic violations or watching a person who may be acting suspiciously are just a few examples. Did you know that at 55 miles per hour, your vehicle will travel the entire length of a football field in just 5 seconds? That is a long time to take your eyes off the road.

Solutions » Get back to basic officer safety

concepts. Instead of glancing back and forth at a computer screen for updated information while en route to a call for assistance, perhaps you could ask the dispatcher to provide an update over the radio. Instead of taking your eyes off the road to run the check-stolen status on a vehicle you are following, ask the dispatcher to run the plate.

» Keep your eyes on the road.

» Pull over to read your computer screen.

» Many states have laws against cell phone use or texting while driving for the simple reason that it is not safe! Although law enforcement officers may be exempt from these laws, stay safe by putting your cell phone down in order to stay aware of your surroundings.

Vis

ual

Distracted driving can be defined as doing anything that takes your attention away from driving

We can break down this definition to see where officers are putting their attention. The three main types of distractions are visual, manual, and cognitive.3

Visual. Manual. cognitive.

ManualDistractionManual distraction takes place when you take your hands off the steering wheel. Eating and drinking while driving is a prime example of manual distraction. Other manual distractions readily at your fingertips are the license plate reader, radar, computer, radio, cell phones, GPS, and maps. We have juggled all of these distractions for so long that we believe we are proficient multitaskers.

Solutions » Realize that you are not a

proficient multitasker!

» Make adjustments to your equipment before driving.

» Keep your cell phone out of reach while driving.

» Avoid eating/drinking while your vehicle is in motion.

Cognitive DistractionCognitive distraction occurs when you let your mind wander away and take it off of driving. The use of hands-free cell phone devices and voice-controlled texting causes your mind to wander. Being lost in deep thought and even listening to music on the radio are cognitive distractions.

Solutions » Be mentally prepared to start

your shift. Do not bring worries and concerns with you.

» Get off of autopilot!

» Make a conscious effort to limit distractions.

» Stay focused on driving—whether slowly patrolling a neighborhood or responding to a high-priority call, focus on the task at hand. The VALOR Program uses the concept of W.I.N. (What’s Important Now) from the legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz. Ask yourself, “What is the most important thing that I should be doing at this time?” If you are driving your patrol vehicle, driving safely is “What’s Important Now!”

» Using a hands-free device to talk may seem harmless, but it causes your mind to wander off the primary task—driving.

» Keep your emotions under control after a difficult contact with an individual or when you are transporting an irate prisoner. Do not allow others to cause you to lose focus while driving.

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www.valorforblue.org/s/SOS@valorforbluefacebook.com/valorforblue#spotlightonsafety

Stay Safe!Managed by:This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-VI-BX-K003 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance

is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

For more information on Spotlight on Safety, visit

Media Training

It’s hot. It’s bulky. It’s uncomfortable.But you know what?

Your family expects you to come home safe.

WEAR YOUR VEST.This project was supported by 2013-MU-BX-K001 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or

recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Resources

Distracted Driving and officer safety

ConclusionWe face real dangers every time we get into our vehicles. With the amount of time we spend in our vehicles, there is inherent danger in pursuits, emergency calls for service, and just navigating day-to-day traffic. We can eliminate visual, manual, and cognitive distractions by paying attention to our surroundings, focusing on driving, and remembering “What’s Important Now!” Increase your personal safety by intentionally eliminating distractions in your vehicle. Keep your attention on driving so that this does not become another record-setting year for officer-related traffic fatalities.

References1. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Distracted Driving: 2015, in Traffic Safety Research Notes. (DOT HS 812 381). March 2017, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Washington, DC.

2. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. http://www.nleomf.org/.

3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Policy Statement and Compiled FAQs on Distracted Driving [cited 2017 April 13], available from http://www.nhtsa.gov.edgesuite-staging.net/Driving+Safety/Distracted+Driving/Policy+Statement+and+Compiled+FAQs+on+Distracted+Driving.

Lieutenant Scott KellerLieutenant Scott Keller has served the citizens of Hampton, Virginia, and the Hampton Police Division for more than 25 years. He is currently the Director of the Hampton Police Academy and Commander of the police division’s training unit and weapons range. Beginning his career as a police cadet in 1989, Lieutenant Keller continued to gain training experience as he moved to the position of corporal and then to division training coordinator. In 2001, he became a detective corporal with emphasis on investigation and interrogation. In 2007, he became the Division Training Sergeant, where, among other duties, he oversaw the development of the division’s police academy. When promoted to sergeant, detective

sergeant, and first sergeant in 2013, Lieutenant Keller continued as an instructor, specializing in use of force, chemical weapons, defensive tactics, SWAT, and firearms training. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2014. Lieutenant Keller earned his associate of applied science degree in criminal justice and police science from Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton.