2008-08-27 23:58:02 -
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving Don Murray, Florida State Executive Director, 813-935-2676 Office, 813-458-1015 Cell In a "first in the nation" pilot program developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Manatee County Sheriff, Brad Steube, announced in a press conference earlier this week, that his sheriff's department was partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. In a unique program that puts specially
trained MADD observers on the road to observe traffic and report potential drunk drivers, MADD and the Sheriff's office are committed to saving lives and preventing injuries.
"As part of the national Labor Day crackdown, Over the Limit, Under Arrest, MADD Florida and the Manatee County Sheriff's Department will be joining forces to save lives," continued Sheriff Steube. "In addition to High Visibility Enforcement such as DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols this holiday weekend, we have added another element to our efforts in this partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. We are very pleased to be the first in the nation to implement this volunteer-based program."
"MADD's Traffic Observation Program, or T.O.P., is the first such MADD program in the nation," stated MADD Volunteer Leader, LaVonne Bower, who is managing the program in Manatee County. "Teams of two will be on the road observing traffic to report signs of possible impaired driving to the Sheriff's department. Our observers have received specialized training that includes classroom instruction and a minimum of six hours of ride-a-long training with certified DUI officers. They will observe all traffic laws and will make no effort to stop or interact with the subject vehicles," continued Bower.
"With safety as our first objective, the vehicle driver will focus only on the safe operation of the vehicle and the second person on the team will focus on communicating with the Sheriff's department, as well as noting certain benchmarks for data collection," said MADD Florida State Executive Director, Don Murray, who developed this program. "When teams spot drivers who indicate signs of impairment, they will contact the Sheriff's Department, who are prepared to quickly respond to the situation," continued Murray. "This is a pilot program that will operate for six months before the first official assessment. We will be collecting data such as response times, percent of arrests, number of observations and interceptions, etc."
Each team will be in private, unmarked vehicles using their own, personal cell phones for communication.
"We're only doing what every citizen could and should do. It's just that we'll be on the road from about 10 P.M. until 1 or 2 A.M. when most folks will be sleeping," concluded Bower. "Our teams have been trained and are ready to go. They will be on the road every weekend and some weeknights for the next six months beginning August 29th."
For additional information on MADD's T.O.P. program, contact Don Murray at the MADD Florida state office at 813-935-2676.
ΒΆ Pilot Program Launches Labor Day Weekend in Florida
