Jacksonville streets are safe - when it comes to traffic

For the third time in five years, AAA Carolinas has recognized Jacksonville as one of the top five traffic-safest cities in North Carolina.

Jacksonville was named a 2008 Outstanding Traffic Safe Community Monday by AAA Carolinas' Traffic Safety Foundation.

The Jacksonville Police Department has implemented several traffic enforcement programs to reduce traffic crashes and conducted selective traffic enforcement in areas where crash data has indicated a need for increased patrols and enforcement, said Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero.

"One of the reasons we have been so successful is we are targeting high-crash areas," he said.

Five cities in three population categories were recognized. Receiving the award along with Jacksonville in the more than 30,000 population category were: Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill and High Point. Burgaw received the award in the fewer than 10,000 category.

The award is based on rankings compiled in a statistical analysis by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Transportation for Policy Studies and an analysis by AAA Carolinas' Traffic Safety Foundation.

The statistical analysis looked at crash statistics, the number of law enforcement officers per resident, the presence of a formal traffic safety program and the existence of a special traffic division.

AAA Carolinas' spokesman Tom Crosby said the Jacksonville Police Department has implemented several impressive programs over the last few years to ensure safer streets for residents and those passing through.

"One of the things that impressed us most was the Jacksonville police going over to Camp Lejeune and talking to Marines about drinking and driving," he said.

A one-of-a-kind program helped put Jacksonville over the top, said Carol Gifford, the public relations manager for AAA Carolinas.

The Citizens Involved in Traffic Enforcement Program, which allows citizens to report traffic violators when they see them by phone or by e-mail when they have arrived at their destination, is very possibly the only program of its kind in North Carolina, Gifford said.

When complaints are filed, the registered owner of car accused of the violation receives a letter about the complaint.

"This is a particularly good way for parents to learn about teen driving," Gifford said, adding that if the car is registered to a military driver, the driver's commanding officer also receives a copy of the complaint.

AAA Carolinas' looked at the following traffic programs being carried out by the JPD in consideration of the award:

n new radio public service announcements

n driving while impaired safety briefs aboard Camp Lejeune

n the use of three motorcycle units for traffic enforcement and maneuvering through traffic after a major collision

n and an impaired driving simulator, a two-seat go cart, used at local high schools to demonstrate the difficulty of drinking and driving.

Contact crime reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.