Lansing - Fans of the popular television drama “Law and Order” can attest to the intrigue of following a case from the investigation to the courtroom conclusion.  This year’s annual Michigan Traffic Safety Summit will showcase crash scene investigation techniques as well as an innovative Indiana program that pairs law enforcement officers with prosecutors to create a Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT).

More than 250 people are expected to attend the two-day Summit, March 1-2, at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel.  The event is presented by the Michigan Department of State Police, Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP); Michigan Department of Transportation; and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC).

“This year’s summit is packed with information on new and innovative traffic safety programs,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director.  “This is information people can use in their own communities to address their unique safety issues.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Lt. George Crooks and Mark Busby, both with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office in Indiana, will discuss the Indiana FACT program.  FACT includes prosecutors, law enforcement officers and traffic safety professionals who are on call day and night to provide specialized resources at a crash site.  The FACT program has had resounding success, a 100 percent conviction rate for drunk driving cases.

A special luncheon presentation will focus on the five-year anniversary of Michigan’s primary safety belt law, highlighting the dramatic increase in safety belt use and the impact this has had on traffic fatalities.

Later on Tuesday, Eric Matwiejczyk, assistant prosecutor with the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, and Lt. Gary Megge, of the Michigan Department of State Police, Traffic Services Section, will reveal how law enforcement officers determine who did what and when in the quest for answers in a fatal crash involving alcohol.

Wednesday morning workshops will focus on community efforts to reduce underage drinking; the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia; innovative solutions to improve safety on roadways including improvements for senior drivers; and community-based traffic safety programs.

The summit will conclude on Wednesday afternoon when the GTSAC will present awards to individuals and groups for outstanding traffic safety efforts during a special awards luncheon.
 

Traffic Safety Summit Agenda

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Welcoming comments – 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director, Michigan Department of State Police; and Gloria Jeff, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation

Achieving Success Without Stress
 8:45 a.m. – 10 a.m. - General Session
Dr. James T. Reese, Chief Executive Officer, James T. Reese and Associates, Williamsburg, Virginia

 Working Effectively with the Media
 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – General Session
John Pastuovic, President, John Pastuovic Communications, Inc., Elmhurst, Illinois
Dave Poulson, Journalism Professor, Michigan State University

Law and Order: FACT (Fatal Alcohol Crash Team)
 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – General Session
Lieutenant George Crooks, FACT Coordinator, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
Joel Hand, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council

 Wednesday, March 2
The following workshops will be repeated.

Party Crashers – Programs to End Underage Drinking
Learn about Michigan programs that can help curb underage drinking. Find out about a positive peer program to assist the state’s youth in making creative and courageous messages.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.              Repeated 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Ed Thomas, Criminal Justice Professor, Lansing Community College
Honorable Michael A. Martone, 52-4 District Court Judge, Courage First Foundation
Katherine Maggi, Executive Director, Courage First Foundation

Reaching Beyond the Shadows – Dementia Awareness
As people age, a growing segment is suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Find out some of the signs and symptoms and some dos and don’ts when interacting with such individuals.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.              Repeated 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Karen D. Bisdorf, Assistant Director, Macomb County Senior Citizen Services
Katherine Anne W. Kozlinski, Program Supervisor, Adult Day Services, Macomb County Senior Citizen Services

Fours Cs of Traffic Safety: Comprehensive, Cooperative, Creative, Continuing
Community-based traffic safety programs are ensuring the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike. Discover innovative and creative ways to develop and fund comprehensive traffic safety programs.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.              Repeated 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Beverly Ward, Traffic Safety Director, Jackson Traffic Safety Program/Region 2 Planning Commission
Gene Alli, St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security

Movers & Shakers: What Engineers Have Done for Roads Lately
Learn about innovative solutions to improve safety, such as roundabouts and rumble strips. In addition, look at a Michigan Department of Transportation project that showcases engineering solutions for the older driver.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.              Repeated 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Wes Butch, Transportation Planning Manager, DLZ
Kim Lariviere, Litigation/Risk Management Engineer, Michigan Department of Transportation
David Morena, Safety and Traffic Operations Engineer, Federal Highway Administration
David Sonnenburg, Traffic Engineer, Ingham County Road Commission

Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission State of Traffic Safety & Awards Luncheon - 12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
 

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.