Table of Contents Executive Summary 4

Executive Summary

Over the last several years, Oklahoma has greatly increased its efforts in the area of impaired driving prevention and enforcement. The most recent FARS data indicate 170 alcohol-impaired (BAC=.08+) driving fatalities in 2013, representing 25% of all fatalities in the State. This reflects a significant decrease in the number of alcohol-related fatalities, from 222 in 2011 to 170 in 2013, which we feel is directly related to our increased efforts in this area. However, alcohol-impaired fatalities continue to represent a significant portion of the fatalities experienced in our state. Per NHTSA, Oklahoma remains well above the national average for impaired driving fatalities nationwide. Unfortunately, recent analysis of crash data by the University of Central Oklahoma, using a 5-year moving average, indicates projected increases in alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities. We are extremely cognizant of the need to continue our efforts in this area; therefore, impaired driving prevention and enforcement will continue to constitute substantial portions of the State’s plan to reduce highway fatalities and injuries. Additionally, OHSO seeks to identify or develop innovative programs to address unrestrained occupant, speed-related, and motorcycle fatalities in the FY2016 Highway Safety Plan.

There were 58 pedestrian fatalities in Oklahoma in 2013, down from 65 pedestrian fatalities in Oklahoma in 2012. Most of these continue to occur in the larger greater metropolitan areas. Oklahoma will strive to enhance its efforts in this area in 2016 through increased education and awareness efforts.

Effective programs begin with a clear picture of the problem and a very specific plan for applying countermeasures. That is why we intend to address shortfalls in the current traffic records system in Oklahoma. Members of the Oklahoma Traffic Records Council are eager to address identified gaps in our system and to build a dependable core system which will improve access to crash and driver records.

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  DDACTS (Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety) – The number of agencies actively utilizing this system has expanded to include Norman Police Department, Midwest City Police Department and Oklahoma City Police Department.
  
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  Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program – The hiring of a former DUI defense attorney in 2012 as TSRP has provided prosecutors and law enforcement officers a unique perspective on the enforcement and adjudication of impaired driving cases. In FY2016 OHSO will continue to promote the TSRP program and increase opportunities for the TSRP to interact with law enforcement and prosecutors in various forums.
  
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  OHSO is supporting the increased, and more effective, use of ignition interlock devices in Oklahoma
  
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  The Governor’s Impaired Driving Prevention Advisory Council (GIDPAC), created in the spring of 2013, will continue its work to more clearly identify, address and coordinate the State’s impaired driving prevention efforts. This council is comprised of members representing various disciplines, including law enforcement, highway safety, treatment and judicial, and is charged with making recommendations to further combat the impaired driving problem in Oklahoma.
  
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  As a part of the State’s ENDUI campaign, the OHSO will continue to expand and improve the ENDUI website launched in 2014 to consolidate online availability of information related to drug and alcohol-impaired driving awareness, prevention, and enforcement efforts in Oklahoma (enduiok.com).
  
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  The State Judicial Educator program enters its fifth full year of implementation by East Central University. East Central began work on the SJE project in late FY2012. OHSO expects the enthusiasm brought to the program by the East Central team to continue through FY2016.
  
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  In FY 2013, the OHSO purchased the Simulated Impaired Driving Experience (SIDNE) vehicle for use throughout the state to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. The popularity of this device has exceeded expectations and the OHSO will expand the use of this education and training tool in FY2016.
  
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  OHSO will continue to support and assist efforts to effect behavior change with regard to distracted driving. OHSO currently participates in “Drive Aware Oklahoma” (driveawareok.org), the only known statewide effort to combat distracted driving, particularly distraction by electronic device. With the passage of a new distracted driving law effective November 1, 2015, the OHSO will work to further promote education and enforcement efforts to curb the practice of texting while driving.
  
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  OHSO initiated significant internal technological advancements in several areas in FY2013 and will continue to expand these efforts in FY2016. Implementation of the IntelliGrants web based grant management system, developed by Agate Software and the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), was initiated for the application process for highway safety grants for FY2014. Improvements and added capabilities will continue to be made in this web based system in 2016 to further enhance reporting and tracking capabilities. The OHSO will continue to provide assistance to local agencies with our audio recording system allowing our office to produce audio PSAs.
  
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  Oklahoma will continue to expand efforts in training and education for motorcycle riders, including support of the Statewide Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board and the OkieMoto website (okiemoto.ok.gov), as well as Facebook, Twitter and other electronic social media outlets.
  
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  Oklahoma is dedicated to improving the traffic records system of our state and to provide users with improved information for more timely and accurate decision making.