Local law enforcement officers to receive special training for enforcing bicycle and pedestrian safety laws.
Posted August 5, 2014 at 9:45 am Category: News Release • Planning and Land Use
WILMINGTON, NC – Local area law enforcement officers will receive special training for enforcing bicycle and pedestrian safety laws as part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Watch for Me NC campaign.
Representatives from New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol will attend a one-day seminar as part of the Watch for Me NC Campaign. The training course will include classroom instruction and field exercises for the officers, who will learn and practice various tactical operations to promote pedestrian and motorist safety. The training sessions are intended to support officers in enhancing their local efforts at ensuring area drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are following state laws.
The training is being led by Brian Massengill, a sergeant with the Durham Police Department. Sgt. Massengill has more than a dozen years’ experience as a law enforcement officer and is certified by the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association.
Local media is invited to attend the Pedestrian Crosswalk Enforcement Effort.
WHAT: Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Training
WHEN: 2:00 PM Wednesday August 6, 2014
WHERE: Cape Fear Community College, Union Station Building
CONTACT:
Karyn Crichton, AICP
Long Range Planner, New Hanover County
910-798-7085
James Gallagher
UNC Highway Safety Research Center
919-843-7007 (office)
919-308-0738 (cell)
About:
New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington rank in the top ten for bicycle and pedestrian crashes statewide. To reduce those numbers, New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol applied for assistance from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the UNC Highway Research Center through their Watch for Me NC safety campaign. New Hanover County is one of thirteen communities statewide selected to be a Watch for Me NC partner.
The Watch for Me NC campaign is a comprehensive approach to reduce bicycle and pedestrian crashes and fatalities in North Carolina. The campaign utilizes multi-media strategies including bus backs, electronic billboards, print media, radio and TV PSAs to educate motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, and provides resources to law enforcement efforts.
The campaign kicks-off in August and runs through December with several events including:
- August 5th National Night Out in downtown Carolina Beach
- August 6th and Monday August 11th City of Wilmington Community Centers Summer Camps
- August 19th UNCW’s Beach Blast
- October 8th International Walk to School Day
Quick Facts about New Hanover County Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes by Type 1997 – 2012:
Pedestrian Crashes
- 45% occurred at non-intersection roadway locations (i.e., mid-block locations).
- 30% occurred at non-roadway locations (i.e., parking lots or driveways).
- 25% occurred within intersections or intersection-related locations.
Bicycle Crashes
- 49% occurred at non-intersection roadway locations (i.e., mid-block locations).
- 47% occurred at intersections or intersection-related locations.
- 4% occurred at non-roadway locations (i.e., parking lots or driveway).
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Release Contact:
Karyn Crichton, AICP
Long Range Planner, New Hanover County
910-798-7085