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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1965.02.23 - 19578Miscellaneous Resolution 4416 February 23, 1965 BY: Frank Irons IN RE: REPORT OF THE TRAFFIC SAFETY SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Mr,, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Resolution No. 4333 adopted by this Board of Supervisors on June 22, 1964, there was appointed a Special Study Committee to investigate and report its recommendations as to whether or not this Board of Supervisors should create a county traffic safety organization in accordance with Section 629a of Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, as amended. The Traffic Safety Special Study Committee, to which was referred the question, "Shall the Board of Supervisors create a county traffic safety organization to cooperate with governmental units and officials thereof in the solution of traffic safety problems in Oakland County?', submits herein its report and recommendations. 1. Is there a need for a traffic safety organization? During the year of 1964 there were 201 traffic fatalities on the streets and highways of Oakland County, which is about 10% of the Michigan toll. It also represents an alarming increase over previous years and certainly worthy of some sober thought. There are no final figures available on the traffic accidents but there is an indication that there was an increase this past year. Loss of life, injuries, property damage, and associated costs should warrant serious consideration for efforts to try to curb these regrettable losses. The danger ahead is even more alarming in Oakland County with an ever increasing population, traffic getting heavier every day, more drivers, more vehicles, more miles of travel, which is another way of saying more chances for more accidents, more injuries, more deaths. Are we willing to accept more injuries and deaths in Oakland County if there is any means of helping to prevent them? #441fo The Committee met with Gerald W. Shipman, Executive Secretary of the Michigan State Safety Commission; James Cohoon, Executive Director of the Genesee County Traffic Safety Commission; and Norman Olman, District Director of the National Safety Council; all of whom advised that organized citizens groups have effectively promoted improved traffic safety in several geographical areas. The available literature verifies the same opinion. The Committee is convinced that traffic accidents in Oakland County can be reduced through a balanced program fully used by public officials and fully supported by the public on a continuing basis. Traffic safety is primarily the responsibility of public officials to determine needs and to carry out sound accident-prevention programs. The fact remains that they cannot do what needs doing unless they have the organized support of informed citizens. Officials can only do what the public will accept and support. In view of the information collected, the Committee believes that it is highly desirable to organize the county citizens and resources into a team effort in the form of a traffic safety organization. 2. Should the Board of Supervisors create the organization? Oakland County includes 23 cities, 16 villages and 24 townships resting within interwoven boundary lines with a wide diversification of interests and activities but all served by a sysfem of highways which no one unit can control. The county plays an important part in the lives of its citizens, governmentally and in citizen activities. A county organization should (1) unite the several community groups, (2) recognize the accident problems, and (3) offer an effective unit to achieve uniform practices in traffic management as well as accident prevention where varying interests and backgrounds have difficulty meeting on a common ground. Coordination of accident prevention programs can best be accomplished through a coordinating agency with the widest possible exchange of traffic safety information among all jurisdictions. The coordinating organization may take various forms, such as #441€ a county federation of safety organizations from the several communities, a voluntary central organization with subsidiary committees in each community, or (3) an officially designated organization with representation from all communities and groups interested in the problem. The Committee believes the third method is most feasible and the Board of Supervisors composed of the legal representative of all governmental units in Oakland County should initiate official action to organize a county traffic safety organization. Such authorization would provide necessary legal status to the organization as well as insure continued administration, some limited financing and staffing of a traffic or safety commission to perform its functions most effectively. 3. What would be the objectives? The broad objectives of citizen organization are spelled out in the "Organized Citizen Support" section of the Action Program for Highway Safety as follows: a. "Conduct organized educational campaigns to inform the public about the accident problems, major traffic safety needs, and the official program; to encourage each citizen to accept his responsibility for his and others' safety; and to support official action to this end. b. "Cooperate with public officials in building sound programs for accident prevention and traffic control; and to support public officials in promoting safe and efficient movement of traffic. c. "Provide means for voluntary coordination of planning and executing projects by the many groups interested in the traffic problem. d. "Maintain continuity of an effective accident prevention program." 4. What are the existing organizations? The cities of Pontiac and Royal Oak have traffic safety organizations which serve many useful purposes but are limited in the geographical area they can serve. The Safety and Traffic Division of the Automobile Club of Michigan sponsors the Northwestern (2) #4416 Safety and Traffic Committee which serves the southeastern portion of Oakland County. The Kiwanis Club of Ferndale is studying the possibility of forming a traffic safety committee to serve their community. All of these organizations would be useful resources in a proposed county activity. The Mott Center for Community Affairs, Oakland University, in conjunction with the Highway Traffic Safety Center of Michigan State University, has organized an Oakland County Traffic Safety Study Committee composed of interested and leading citizens in Oakland County. The fundamental purpose of the study is to examine the status of existing conditions, determine how present resources con be utilized more effectively, propose additional resources and activities needed to reduce the toll, and prepare a plan to obtain the needed resources and action within Oakland County. 5. How should the County traffic organization be created? Due to the Mott Center study, the actual organizational structure should be delayed until their final report is available, which is planned for the latter part of June. In the meantime the Board of Supervisors could endorse the formation of the organization, appoint a standing traffic committee within its membership, and formulate tentative plans for the successful operation of the organization, which would include a full time director. 6. How would the organization be financed? Voluntary financial contributions and participation seems to be the key to the success of many existing traffic safety organizations. Industry, business, civic and service groups would be encouraged to contribute and participate in traffic safety projects. The extent of such projects would in turn be dependent upon the available funds but much can be done through the promotion of citizen information programs. There will be need for office space, clerical help, supplies and the director, which could logically become the financial responsibility of the county government. #4416 7. Recommendations. Based on study, readings, and interviews, the Committee presents the following recommendations for your consideration and action: . Endorse and support the creation of an Oakland County Traffic Safety Council. 2. Create a Traffic Safety Committee of three members of the Board of Supervisors to serve with the Mott Center Oakland County Traffic Safety Study Committee to implement the legal position of the Board, and keep the membership posted on the progress of the study. After the formation of the Council, the Committee would be authorized to oversee the Council's activities and maintain a liaison position between the Board of Supervisors and the Council, if it is recommended as a county government responsibility. 3. Encourage the continuation of the Mott Center Traffic Safety Study to a speedy conclusion and final report. 4. Develop the organizational structure and activities of an Oakland County Safety Council based upon the final report and recommendations of the Mott Center Traffic Safety Study Committee inasfar as the Board of Supervisors can approve the recommendations. 5, Plan for financial support to an Oakland County Traffic Safety Council in the preparation of the next County budget. Respectfully submitted, SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC SAFETY Frank Irons (Oakland County Sheriff), Chairman Capt. Leo Hazen (Oakland County Sheriff's Department) John R. Agnew (Royal Oak Safety Council) Sgt. John Amthor (Michigan State Police) Willis M. Brewer Norman Cheal (Pontiac Motor Division) Robert H. Fredericks (ford Motor Company) Erwin Hendershott (Oakland Schools) Harvey M. Johns (GMC Truck & Coach Division #4416 Joseph S. Marlow (State Highway Department) Sol D. Lomerson (Oakland County Road Commission) Lt. Clayton Randolph (Pontiac Police Department) The Chairman referred the report to the Ways and Means Committee and Board of Auditors.