The South Kingstown Police Department participates in several pro-active traffic safety initiatives. The Traffic Awareness Program (TAP) is a vital component of the Department's strategy to deter traffic violations that are often contributing factors in traffic accidents. The title "Traffic Awareness Program" was chosen over "Traffic Enforcement Program" because it is the program's mission to instill in motorists an awareness of the dangers associated with violating the state traffic laws. This program is not intended solely to impose fines on motorists. The program is a balance between necessary enforcement of state traffic laws and a heightened community awareness of highway safety. Officers assigned to TAP shifts conduct more than 11,700 traffic stops annually; with 58% of motorists receiving a verbal warning, which exhibits the program's focus on educating motorists on safe driving habits.
The Department participates in the RI Department of Transportation/Office of Highway Safety "Operation Blue Riptide" program and uses two grant awards to conduct planned Impaired/Drunk Driving Enforcement and Speed Management activities. The additional dedicated patrols provided through these grants enable the South Kingstown Police to reinforce their assertive highway safety efforts.
Operation Safe Fall is a traffic safety program that combines the efforts and resources of Washington County Police Departments and the Rhode Island State Police. The program addresses highway safety issues in the communities most affected by the increase traffic volume caused by recent population growth and by the state university in Kingston. The program combines periodic waves of stepped-up enforcement of traffic laws with publicity highlighting the county's traffic safety efforts. Recently a national survey of driver's attitudes towards the effectiveness of nine different countermeasures for reducing unsafe driving was conducted. The countermeasure that is viewed to be the most effective in reducing unsafe driving behaviors is to assign more police officers to traffic enforcement programs. Proactive traffic enforcement makes roadways safer, reduces crime and improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Operation Safe Fall has set a new standard for highway safety in Washington County and provides a foundation for local and regional traffic safety programs.
The South Kingstown Police Department uses grant money from the RI Department of Transportation/Office of Highway Safety to conduct child safety seat clinics and checks. This grant allows the Department's certified Safety Seat Inspectors to hold advertised child safety seat inspections throughout the community. The Department's Safety Seat Inspectors conduct approximately 265 child safety seat checks per year.
The Department is proud of its pro-active approach to alcohol enforcement and education initiatives to abate underage alcohol consumption. Utilizing grants from the RI Department of Health, Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH), Division of Substance Abuse, the Police Department conducts numerous "Cops in Shops" details where liquor store owners and bar license holders allowed undercover officers to view alcohol sales and check for fraudulent identification cards. Approximately 125 false identification cards/driver's licenses have been confiscated annually through the "Cops in Shops" program and the co-operative efforts of the local businesses. Approximately 830 false identification cards/driver's licenses have been confiscated during the past 6 years. In addition to the MHRH grant, the Police Department uses the State Incentive Grant (SIG) to conduct alcohol compliance checks at the businesses of liquor license holders in South Kingstown.
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