Agenda
Presentation of Colors – Multi-Agency Honor Guard
Brett Tjepkes, Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
Susan DeCourcy, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Region 7
This presentation will examine the importance of traffic enforcement and it’s critical connection to both crime prevention and community police; building trust in our communities.
Steven Casstevens, Chief – Buffalo Grove Illinois Police Department
This session will discuss and demonstrate recent updates in crash data visualization and analysis in Iowa, including integration of dashboards into ICAT, other crash dashboards (such as heavy trucks, non-motorists, roadway clearance times, etc.) and new traffic safety identification and evaluation tools.
Zach Hans, Iowa State University – Institute for Transportation
Skylar Knickerbocker, Iowa State University – Institute for Transportation
Hossein Naraghi, Iowa Department of Transportation – Traffic & Safety Bureau
During 2021, the Iowa DOT has installed 62 cameras around the state that can detect wrong way driving. They also spent about $1.5M on upgrading signs and pavement markings at 169 interchanges and intersections. Come listen (and see) what they have learned and treated so far.
Willy Sorenson, Iowa Department of Transportation – Traffic & Safety Bureau
Speed Equipment 201 – You aced Speed Equipment 101 and did your research. You know these devices work and if used properly can deter speeding and risky behavior. You received funds for a speed sign or trailer and have purchased your device. Now what? How do you know where to place it? How often do you move it? Do you advertise the location? Do you collect data on the device and if so, how do you utilize that data? Is the equipment incorporated into your planned speed project and if so, how? In this session, hear how Iowa agencies implement best practices regarding speed equipment.
Chief Britt Smith – Monticello Police Department
Sergeant Andrew Champion – Bettendorf Police Department
Deputy Jake Nelson – Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office
The Past Present and Future of Automated Driving – This talk will discuss where we have been with automotive technology, what is in production today and will have a look at the long range future of automated driving.
Dan McGehee, Director, National Advanced Driving Simulator
We’re in this TOGETHER – Learn how you can help mitigate local traffic safety issues!! – Iowa’s Traffic Safety Teams, also known as the Statewide Multi-Disciplinary Safety Teams (MDST) Program’s primary purpose includes improving traffic safety, developing interagency cooperation, helping to resolve local safety issues, identify and mitigate crash causes, improve crash response practices and identify funding opportunities. An additional purpose is to develop interagency collaboration and information exchange. This approach improves communication on technical transportation issues among professionals from local governments, cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations and regional entities and the DOT statewide. By coordinating communication and collaborating with other stakeholders, participants gain a broader perspective on safety issues and learn best practices from professionals outside their area of expertise. This ultimately leads to the development of solutions that may not have been considered otherwise. Hear from existing MDST Chairpersons about the benefits, challenges, stakeholders involved and stakeholders missing, typical meeting frequency/agenda, and other important helpful tips.
Theresa Litteral – Iowa State University – Institute for Transportation
Current MDST Chairs:
Sergeant Derek Grooters, Ames
Zhi Chen, Des Moines
Stacy Lentsch, Fort Dodge
Tim Richmond, Ottumwa
Chris Washburn, Council Bluffs/Omaha
Buckle Up Buttercup! – Come find out the latest on occupant protection statistics and programs in the state. Where does your county or city rank? You may be surprised with the results. We hear you, it’s hard to find them, right? While it can be a challenge to find those violators, there are creative ways to enforce seat belt and child restraint laws. We’ll share what is working in some agencies and how it can positively impact your community. You’ll also want to hear about new programming available in schools to get those teens to buckle up. The Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) program specialist and a student leader will answer questions about how easy it really is to get signed up and make a difference. GTSB will also share exciting news about occupant protection programming and the comeback of the High Five program. You don’t want to miss this one!
Sheriff Jason Sandholdt – Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Deputy Ben Veren – Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
Cathy Slade – SAFE Coordinator
Joanne Tinker – Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
Drone Applications within Incident Management – With the growing need to provide advanced capabilities to conduct crash investigations, crime scene mapping and quick clearance on Iowa’s roadways, the Iowa State Patrol implemented a Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) Program to reduce on-scene investigation time which reduces the delay and hazard of road blockage. As part of an overall Traffic Incident Management (TIM) strategy, the use of sUAS helps return highways to normal traffic sooner, thereby reducing risk to first responders and highway users.
Sergeant Chris Starrett – Iowa State Patrol
Distracted Driving Best Practices – Looking for an innovative program to target distracted drivers? Hear from three different agencies about their think outside the box tactics and how it is working in their communities.
Sergeant Corey Champlin – Iowa State Patrol
Officer Tony Higgins – Ankeny Police Department
Officer Adam Jones – Clive Police Department
Officer Jason Cunningham – Altoona Police Department
A summarizing look into the importance and significance of understanding how our brain is wired and how the art of slowing our thoughts down, taking in other perspectives and points of view, and taking a step back from our initial preconceived thoughts under stress, can and will significantly increase our performance and productivity at both the workplace and home while simultaneously decreasing our stress levels which hinder us from making sound decisions and also carry us into long term mental, social, and physical health issues that not only affect our job and personal lives but also our life expectancy rate.
J.C. (Buddy) Johnson, TN-Bleu Training
Hear the most recent updates and practical application regarding case law, as well as statewide usage of an electronic search warrant.
Jeremy Petersen, Iowa Attorney General’s Office
Christine Circo, Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office
Catherine Lucas, Iowa Department of Public Safety
The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Investigating and Prosecuting the Prescription Drug Impaired Driver – The prescription drug defense is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied concepts in the area of impaired driving. In light of the massive increase in the abuse of prescription drugs and the recent focus on the opioid crisis, it is more important than ever for both officers and prosecutors to understand the defense, how to combat the defense with effective investigation, how to spot misapplications of the defense, and how to speak credibly to courts and opposing counsel concerning the defense. This short break-out session will not only set out the elements of the defense, but will provide the attendee with useful and practical tools to circumvent as well as respond to the prescription drug defense in motions to suppress, DOT hearings, negotiations, and trials with confidence in this ever-increasing area of impaired driving.
Sergeant Paul Batcheller – Iowa City Police Department
Christine Circo – Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office
Managing Iowa’s Roadways – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) is a 24/7 center located in the Motor Vehicle Division building in Ankeny. The TMC is staffed with trained professionals using advanced technology to proactively monitor, communicate and assist in coordinating response to disruptions on the transportation system. Disruptions can include crashes, delays, congestion, stalled vehicles, special events and weather events. The TMC coordinates daily with the Highway Helper program. Highway Helper provides incident response and free assistance to stranded motorists on the roadways in the Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City and Quad Cities metros. The focus of the Highway Helper program is to provide travelers and emergency responders with a safe and efficient transportation system. The Highway Helper service can quickly address the needs of stranded motorists by providing; jump starts, tire changes, up to two gallons of fuel and transportation to a safe location. In addition, each truck is equipped to provide traffic control and quick clearance for emergency responders. Both the TMC and Highway Helper provide assistance to law enforcement on a daily basis. Learn what the TMC and Highway Helper have to offer, how and when to contact them, plus what they can do for you! This session is for you, even IF there are no cameras in your immediate area. Come hear why!
Ashley Hochberger – Iowa Department of Transportation
Leveraging Media for High-Visibility Traffic Enforcement Success – High-visibility traffic enforcement has its greatest impact when law enforcement efforts are supported with a publicity strategy that generates awareness with strong messaging. What is your agency doing to leverage media to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance with an increasing number of sTEP and CARE enforcement waves? Hear panelists discuss their best practices, obstacles and tools with social and traditional media, and how you can partner with GTSB to enhance your efforts.
Sergeant Alex Dinkla – Iowa State Patrol
Mick Mulhern – Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
Owen Farrell – Davenport Police Department
Sheriff Stacy Weber – Lee County Sheriff’s Department
Traffic Incident Management is for EVERYONE! Responder struck by incidents are rapidly becoming a regular occurrence. Law enforcement, fire fighters, tow operators, EMS personnel, and transportation workers are at high risk while working roadway incidents. Traffic Incident Management training provides best practices for a coordinated safe quick clearance plan for all disciplines. Multi-discipline instructors presenting to multi-discipline audience builds relationships and provides ways to work safely together. This increases the safety for both responders and the motoring public. TIM principles can be used on every type of roadway. Planning for state TIM training facility is well underway and will be an amazing training tool!
Doug Allen, Traffic Incident Management Instructor
Kip Hayward Award * Jim Meyerdirk Award for Academic Excellence * DRE Awards
Todd Olmstead, DRE State Coordinator, Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau
Paul Batcheller, DRE Board Chair, Iowa City Police Department
Commissioner’s Special Awards for Traffic Safety
Commissioner Stephan Bayens, Iowa Department of Public Safety
Farrell Puente-Morales Award
Brett Tjepkes, Bureau Chief, Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau