03 Traffic Enforcement Presentation — original pdf

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Austin Police Briefing: Austin Police Briefing: Traffic Enforcement Traffic Enforcement Lieutenant William White | Austin Police Department Urban Transportation Commission | November 10, 2026 1 Annual Statistics January 2019 – October 2026* • Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Arrests • Citations • Hazardous • Non-hazardous • Electronic Handheld Device • Warnings 2 2 DWI Arrests DWI Arrests January 2019 – October 2026 3 DWI Arrests by Year 38% decline between 2019 & 2025 4,200 3,165 2,675 2,870 2,620 2,792 3,070 2,707 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 4 4 DWI Arrests by Council District (2026) D 1 (Harper-Madison) = 278 D 2 (Fuentes) D 3 (Velásquez) D 4 (Vela) D 5 (Alter) D 6 (Laine) D 7 (Siegel) D 8 (Ellis) D 9 (Qadri) D 10 (Duchen) = 321 = 443 = 304 = 180 = 103 = 283 = 83 = 506 = 145 5 5 Citations Citations January 2019 – October 2026 6 Citations by Year 69% decline between 2019 & 2025 (combined) 35k 32k 15k 13k 11k 9k 10k 10k 10k 8k 10k 7k 13k 8k 10k 7k 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Hazardous Non-hazardous 7 7 Handheld Device Citations by Year 3,567 89% decline between 2019 & 2025 1,102 227 174 111 160 391 194 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 8 8 Warnings Warnings January 2019 – October 2026 9 Warnings by Year 74% decline between 2019 & 2025 67 k 34 k 19 k 14 k 14 k 15 k 17 k 17 k 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 10 10 Impaired Driving Impaired Driving Investigations (IDI) Investigations (IDI) 11 About the Unit The Impaired Driving Investigations (IDI) Unit’s primary mission is to support and promote all Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) related activity within the Austin Police Department. • Created following reallocation of DWI Enforcement officers (June 2021) • Conduct investigations of open DWI cases • File criminal charges of DWI-related title codes • Coordinate DWI and DRE training for officers and cadets • Promote safety through public education and outreach 12 The Unit was created following the reallocation of DWI Enforcement officers to Patrol in June 2021. Those officers that maintained their DRE certifications from their time on the DWI Unit were reorganized under the DRE Program The IDI Unit conducts investigations of open DWI cases and will file criminal charges of DWI-related title codes. The IDI Unit is also responsible for the coordination of DWI and DRE training for officers and cadets and regularly participates in public outreach campaigns. 12 Significant Accomplishments Partnered with Vision Zero to implement No Refusal 365 Development of the APD Qualified Technician Program MADD Recognition (2026) 13 13 No Refusal 365: Overview Legacy No Refusal 5/1/ 2022 – 5/30/2024 (25 months) Weekends and Holidays Only No Refusal 6/1/2024 – 6/30/2026 365 Percentage Change Breath Consent Blood Blood Search Warrant Refusal 2285 771 1486 1311 2671 846 17% 10% 2052 38% 793 40% 14 14 Qualified Technicians Program  18 officers are qualified technicians.  Average 4.5 blood draws per night (135 per month).  Conducted over 3,300 blood draws since February 2024. 2026 performance:  Over 98% success rate obtaining blood when attempted.  Over 90% success rate for each puncture.  APD officers in line with historical EMS medic success rates.  In 2026: Over 98% success rate of obtaining blood from a person when attempted, and over 90% success rate of each puncture being successful (sometimes takes more than one attempted puncture). 15 15 MADD Award Recipients MADD Enforcement Hero Award: Officer Brozynski – Patrol Officer Arevalo – Patrol Officer Duran – Patrol Officer Cruz – Patrol MADD Outstanding Leadership Award: Detective Day – Impaired Driving Investigations MADD Outstanding Rookie Award: Officer Callejas – Patrol Officer Kinuthia – Patrol MADD Outstanding Service Award: Officer Sanchez – Patrol Officer Lantsberger – Patrol Detective Morrison - Impaired Driving Investigations 16 16 Commercial Vehicle Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Enforcement (CVE) 17 About the Unit The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Unit’s primary mission is to ensure Austin has the safest roadways in Texas regarding commercial vehicle traffic.  CVE enforces local, state, and federal laws regarding:  Operation of commercial motor vehicles  Weight regulations  Transportation of Hazardous Materials  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations (FMCSA) Safety Regulations  Conducts educational outreach to trucking industry and roadway users about roadway safety. 18 18 CVE Unit Performance January 1 – October 31, 2026  1,853 Commercial Motor Vehicle inspections  41% of vehicles placed Out of Service  8% of drivers placed Out of Service  123 citations issued 19 19 Traffic Operations Traffic Operations 20 Operation: Twin Turbo April – October 2026  Traffic Enforcement Operation primarily targeting intoxicated drivers in the downtown area  Collaboration between downtown patrol evening shifts and DRE/DWI Auxiliary Team  Friday and Saturday nights Action Nights of Operation DWI Arrests Drivers Tested (No Arrest) Drivers Stopped (No Testing) Citations Issued Count 51 80 61 211 49 21 21 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Background  Chief complaint: motorcycle activity  Between 2222 & Loop 360  Weekend daytime hours (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)  Excessive noise  Perceived reckless driving  Impacts on neighborhood quality-of-life  The Austin Police Department (APD) has received recurring community complaints regarding motorcycle activity along RR2222 between MoPac and Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360), primarily during weekend daytime hours (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Reported concerns include excessive noise, perceived reckless driving, and potential impacts on neighborhood quality of life and property values. 22 22 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Key Findings Noise Concerns  Loud engine noise  Riders often travel in groups  Canyon-like terrain amplifies sound Traffic & Safety Data  No significant increase in speeding or collisions attributable to motorcycles vs. general traffic  Minimal hazardous violations by motorcyclists  Citations issued primarily to non-motorcycle vehicles  Objective data does not support a disproportionate safety risk from motorcycles 23  Noise Concerns: Residents report significant disturbance from motorcycle engine noise, particularly when riders accelerate or travel in groups. The canyon-like terrain along RR2222 amplifies and carries sound, increasing the perceived severity.  Traffic & Safety Data: o Speed trailer data and crash reports indicate no significant increase in speeding or collisions attributable to motorcycles compared to general traffic. o Directed enforcement operations confirmed minimal hazardous violations by motorcyclists. o Citations issued during enforcement initiatives were primarily to non-motorcycle vehicles, aligning with collected data.  Perception vs. Data Gap: 23 While complaints persist, objective data does not support a disproportionate safety risk from motorcycles. The primary issue remains noise, not traffic violations. 23 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Actions Taken Initial Assessment Enforcement Efforts  Evaluated enforcement,  Conducted overtime traffic environmental & behavioral factors operations Community Engagement  Held public meetings to present findings and discuss solutions  Advised residents of limitations such as roadway modifications (authority of TxDOT)  Results showed limited enforcement on motorcycles Multi-Agency Roundtable  Collaborative workgroup established with City, regional partners, and the community 24  Initial Assessment: APD conducted an assessment to evaluate enforcement, environmental, and behavioral factors.  Community Engagement:  Public meeting held in September 2024 to present findings and discuss potential solutions.  Residents were advised of limitations regarding roadway modifications, which fall under the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).  Targeted Enforcement: 24  Overtime traffic operations were conducted along RR2222.  Results showed limited enforcement impact on motorcycles, reinforcing data findings.  Multi-Agency Roundtable: A collaborative workgroup was established including:  APD  City of Austin departments (Legal, City Manager’s Office, etc.)  TxDOT  State Representative Vikki Goodwin  Community stakeholders 24 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Results (May 5 – October 26, 2026) Type Hazardous Non-Hazardous Warning Motorcycle Motorcycle % Count 317 155 893 19 1.39% 25 25 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Outcomes & Current Status Outcomes  City ordinance addressing vehicle engine noise  Traffic study conducted  Rumble strips installed to mitigate speeding Current Status  No active overtime enforcement operations occurring  Roundtable meetings paused  Residents remain concerned about excessive noise 26 Outcomes / Milestones  Development and passage of a new City ordinance (9-2-3) addressing vehicular noise.  Completion of a traffic study along RR2222.  Coordination with TxDOT for installation of rumble strips to mitigate speeding and improve safety perception. Current Status  No active overtime enforcement operations are in place.  Roundtable meetings are currently paused pending reassessment of need.  Complaints continue, primarily centered on noise rather than enforceable traffic violations. 26 RM 2222 Traffic Enforcement Next Steps APD will focus on:  Balancing community perception and quality-of- life concerns with data-driven enforcement limitations  Continued collaboration with the community and local partner agencies Strategies:  Noise mitigation  Public education & outreach  Legislative or engineering solutions 27 Key Consideration Moving Forward  The core challenge remains balancing community perception and quality- of-life concerns with data-driven enforcement limitations. Future efforts may require continued focus on:  Noise mitigation strategies  Public education  Legislative or engineering solutions beyond traditional enforcement 27 Traffic Enforcement A Sector-Level, Data-Driven Approach In collaboration with Vision Zero, APD sectors use crash data to inform enforcement operations. Transportation-Public Works (TPW) shares monthly reports detailing:  Recommended focus area locations  Top violations/concerns  Frequency and severity of crashes  Time of day 28 In collaboration with Vision Zero, Austin Police sectors began using data driven approach to traffic enforcement operations targeting crash hotspots. FRANK sector uses the monthly “Traffic Enforcement Focus Areas” report to conduct directed patrols. Currently each day and night shift in Frank conduct daily one-hour DPs at the locations identified in the monthly report. Due to staffing and high call volume, our evening shifts are unable to consistently complete the DPs. Additionally, night shifts work a weekly DWI initiative on double shift days. Recurring hot spots for traffic related issues are:  Ben White Service Road EB from IH35 to Montopolis – speeding/distracted driving  William Cannon Menchaca to Pleasant Valley (Daytime – East of 35 / Nighttime West of 35) – Running red light/speeding/distracted driving  Menchaca Rd – William Cannon to Old Menchaca – speeding/impairment  Slaughter – Francia to 35 – speeding/impairment Since implementation in July, 492 citations have been issued. 28 Traffic Enforcement A Sector-Level, Data-Driven Approach Frank Sector Charlie Sector  Each Day & Night shift conduct daily one-hour Directed Patrols in identified locations of concern  492 citations issued since July  Day, Evening & Night shift conducted 14 traffic enforcement initiatives since October  9 citations, 13 warnings issued Henry Sector  Day shift conducted 9 enforcement initiatives since October  15 citations, 6 warnings issued 29 FRANK sector uses the monthly “Traffic Enforcement Focus Areas” report to conduct directed patrols. Currently each day and night shift in Frank conduct daily one-hour DPs at the locations identified in the monthly report. Due to staffing and high call volume, our evening shifts are unable to consistently complete the DPs. Additionally, night shifts work a weekly DWI initiative on double shift days. Since implementation in July, 492 citations have been issued.  Ben White Service Road EB from IH35 to Montopolis – speeding/distracted driving  William Cannon Menchaca to Pleasant Valley (Daytime – East of 35 / Nighttime West of 35) – Running red light/speeding/distracted driving  Menchaca Rd – William Cannon to Old Menchaca – speeding/impairment  Slaughter – Francia to 35 – speeding/impairment Top locations: Henry:   Montopolis Drive and US 183 Svc Rd NB/SB   Both locations had 25 or more crashes in the last 12 months, and five of Pleasant Valley Rd. (Lakeshore Blvd to Oltorf St) 29 them were severe.  Henry dayshift conducted 9 traffic enforcement initiatives.  15 citations and 6 warnings issued Charlie:  Top locations:  Loyola Lane (US 183 to Decker Ln)  East 7th Street (IH-35 to Pedernales St)  Cesar Chavez Street (Robert T Martinez Jr St. to Pleasant Valley Rd.)  Loyola Lane had over 121 crashes in the last 12 months, 17 of them were severe.  East 7th Street had 60 crashes in the last 12 months, 8 of them were severe.  Cesar Chavez Street had 46 crashes in the last 12 months, 7 of them were severe.  A mixture of Charlie dayshift, evening shift and night shift conducted 14 traffic enforcement initiatives.  9 citations and 13 warnings issued 29 Questions? Lieutenant William White Austin Police Department Highway Enforcement Division 512-974-5139 william.white@austintexas.gov 30 30