A project of the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center
In cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation
June 2014
BEST Practices
Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives
MEET THE
MUNICIPAL COURT
AWARD RECIPIENTS
2
2
4Linden
5Magnolia
6Moulton
College Station
8
La Porte
9
San Marcos
10Arlington
11Irving
12
Municipal Courts Honored for
Commitment to Increasing Traffic Safety
Harker Heights
3Lakeway
7
2014
Traffic
Safety
Awards
Balch Springs
12Hutto
13Pasadena
14
2015 Municipal
Traffic Safety Awards
15
TMCA Message
16
Driving on the Right
Side of the Road
The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) and the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) honored 10 municipal courts
with the Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives Awards during TMCEC’s
annual Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives Conference on April 2-4,
2014, at the Hilton NASA Clear Lake Hotel in Houston for their
outstanding contributions in promoting traffic safety in their community.
The Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives Awards encourage friendly
competition among the municipal courts to increase awareness,
education, development, and implementation of traffic safety initiatives,
which, in turn, improve a community’s overall quality of life. Nominees
were assessed on community outreach and education efforts involving
traffic safety initiatives, including efforts to increase traffic safety while
decreasing traffic crashes, traffic fatalities, juvenile DUI, child safety
seat offenses, red light running, and other traffic related offenses.
All municipal courts in Texas were eligible to receive an award.
Ten courts were selected to receive awards: two in the large volume
courts, serving a population of 150,000 or more; three in the medium
volume courts, serving populations between 30,000 and 149,999;
and five in the small volume courts, serving a population below
30,000. Three courts were also selected as honorable mentions.
The courts listed below received recognition for their initiatives.
Baytown Municipal Judge Julie Escalante presented the 2014 Municipal
Traffic Safety Initiatives Awards to municipal courts based on population
size: Harker Heights, Lakeway, Linden, Magnolia and Moulton were
selected from the low volume courts; College Station, La Porte, and San
Marcos from the medium volume courts; and Arlington and Irving from the
high volume courts. Balch Springs, Hutto, and Pasadena were selected to
receive honorable mentions for their dedication and traffic safety projects.
BEST Practices
Harker Heights
Low Volume
Harker Heights’ close proximity to Fort Hood means
that this small town has an unusually high number
of out of state, out of town, and even international
drivers passing through. Such drivers may be unfamiliar
with local traffic laws, so traffic safety education is
particularly important in Harker Heights.
When the court staff taught summer camp children
about traffic safety, they also conducted a traffic safety
poster contest. The winners received school supplies
for the school year and the posters were uploaded to
the court’s website. The Harker Heights Municipal Court
also offers Teen Court. The Bell County Sheriff’s Office
has allowed teen court participants to visit a county jail
facility where they saw first hand DWI offenders in the
“drunk tank.”
The Harker Heights Municipal Court also brings its
traffic safety information display booth to local events,
such as the “Big Truck Show.” At this event, which
From L to R: Elizabeth Biehle, Julie Helsham, Judge Julie Escalante
features fire trucks, ambulances, police armored
vehicles, dump trucks, and other large vehicles, the
court conducts a traffic safety activity to educate
children on how traffic safety applies to these vehicles.
Posters on Traffic Safety
Thanks to the generosity of TxDOT and NHTSA, TMCEC has a variety of posters to offer courts on traffic
safety issues. These may be used to decorate bulletin boards, as part of a traffic safety exhibit, or as examples
for students to make their own. Please indicate what topics you are most interested in and send your order to us.
We will gladly provide copies at no charge while supplies last. Please email your order to tmcec@tmcec.com.
Specific Posters
___ Jacqui Saburido Poster
___ No Texting and Driving Pledge Poster
___ Pledge Safety on Field Trips Poster
___ Safety Seat and Booster Seat Poster with Height Requirements
___ Click It or Ticket Poster
Page 2
Topics
___ Safety Seats and Seat Belt Themes
___ Impaired Driving
___ Distracted Driving
___ Holiday Theme Impaired Driving
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Lakeway
Low Volume
Judge Kevin Madison and the Lakeway Municipal Court
have consistently been recognized by the MTSI Awards
due to their steadfast commitment to raising awareness
about traffic safety issues and taking action to prevent
crashes.
In August, Judge Madison launched a traffic safety
Facebook page with an emphasis on teen driver safety.
Almost immediately the Facebook page had over 200
“friends.”
Judge Madison also worked with the Lake Travis
Community Library to create a distinct traffic safety
section at the library. The library features the Jacqueline
Saburido “Before and After” DVD media packet. Free
for the public to bring home, this packet shows the
catastrophic consequences that can result from drinking
and driving.
The Lakeway Municipal Court itself is adorned with
various traffic safety messages. Specifically, there is
a display table with traffic safety items such as “No
Texting and Driving” bracelets and laminated posters.
From L to R: Judge Kevin Madison, Judge Julie Escalante
Judge Madison is also known for personally snapping
photographs of distracted drivers. After he enlarges
these photos, he hangs them on a wall of the courtroom
affectionately known as the “Wall of Shame.” There
is also a power point titled “20 Reasons Not to Text
& Drive” which plays continuously in the courthouse
lobby. This power point has also been posted online
where it has been viewed by more than 2,100 people!
Jacqui’s Story
This is the unforgettable story of two lives changed
by a fatal drunk driving crash outside Austin, Texas.
Jacqueline Saburido, a 20-year-old college student
who lost her face, hands, and much of her eyesight,
and Reginald Stephey, the high school football
player driving drunk that night, give candid interviews in this 28-minute documentary-style video
presented in three parts (high school+). Copies
are available for loan from TMCEC. TMCEC can
also get courts in contact with TxDOT to obtain a
copy for permanent use in the court or city library.
For information, email tmcec@tmcec.com.
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Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Linden
Low Volume
The Linden Municipal Court employs a uniquely
personal approach to improving traffic safety. Judge
McMillon, rather than merely ordering the parents to
pay a fine in juvenile cases, often gets more creative.
For example, she may order the teen to write a research
paper on the offense for which the teen has been
charged. Judge McMillon also sometimes instructs the
teen to keep a journal of discussions with his or her
parent or guardian. The catch is that these discussions
must relate to topics such as underage drinking or
seat belt use. Chief Court Clerk Terri Price says that
she has witnessed teens that were previously unable
to communicate with their parents come out of this
assignment as “best friends” with their parents.
The Linden Municipal Court enjoyed a successful
Municipal Courts Week in November. With the
assistance of the Texas Department of Transportation,
local residents enjoyed the company of crash test
dummies Vince and Larry. There was also a treasure
chest filled with prizes that brought awareness to the
dangers of drinking and driving, underage drinking, and
texting and driving.
From L to R: Judge Julie Escalante, Judge Barbara McMillon,
Terri Price
In December, the court staff set up a “DWI Holiday
Tree” in the foyer. Hanging on the tree were humorous
ornaments that contained serious messages. One festive
ornament had a picture of Santa Claus and said, “He sees
you when you’re drinking, He knows when you’re .08.”
Larry & Vince
You may remember crash test dummies Vince and Larry. Often appearing in TV ads in the 80s and 90s and
now a part of the Smithsonian’s Auto Safety Exhibit, Vince and Larry promoted traffic safety with phrases
such as “You can learn a lot from a dummy.” Today, TxDOT traffic safety specialists (TSS) often own Vince
and Larry costumes and will wear them to courts and other traffic safety programs. Inviting Vince and Larry
to your court’s events can be a great way to engage children and adults in traffic safety issues. A list of TSSs
may be found at http://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic_contacts.htm. These TxDOT staff members are available to help courts with public outreach on traffic safety issues and have many resources to share. There is
also an interesting history behind the Vince and Larry safety campaign. Go to Wikipedia and search for Larry
& Vince.
Page 4
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Magnolia
Low Volume
The Magnolia Municipal Court runs a particularly
strong campaign against drinking and driving and
texting and driving. The court works closely with the
Magnolia Police Department to educate the public on
traffic safety. The court and police department utilize
some very innovative tools to get their message across,
including putting a person with “drunk goggles” on
in a golf cart and seeing if they can drive straight.
Unsurprisingly, those that gave it a shot did not fare so
well.
Magnolia has a race car simulator where the driver
attempts to drive while texting. Even youngsters
without their driver’s licenses are encouraged to try
in hopes that they will develop safe habits before they
are allowed on actual roadways. The court and police
department also use a “rollover simulator” to give folks
a sample of the terror of a rollover. The court offers
From L to R: James Senegal, Victoria Hanson,
Donna Weber, Domingo Ybarra
scores of traffic safety materials, including t-shirts with
messages such as “Drinking…Driving…Seriously?” and
“Don’t be a Loaded Weapon – Don’t Drive Distracted.”
“Drunk Goggles”
Several of the MTSI award winners mention using “drunk goggles” in their programs. These are a prevention tool used to educate people of all ages about the consequences of alcohol misuse and abuse.
The goggles use special lens technology that allows the wearer to experience a realistic simulation of
impairment. Kits usually contain several degrees of intoxication. TMCEC has four kits that it can loan
courts for special events. The loan period is two weeks and courts must pay the price of Fed ex charges
to return the goggles, as the goggles are not inexpensive – around $150 each. To reserve a set for your
traffic safety activity, contact tmcec@tmcec.com. Courts may also want to purchase their own sets. Vendors may be found by searching for “drunk goggles” or “fatal vision goggles.”
Page 5
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Moulton
Low Volume
Seeing a 350% case load increase from 2012 to 2013
did not deter the Moulton Municipal Court’s efforts to
increase traffic safety. The court brought a renewed
awareness to seat belt safety by participating in the
summer 2013 “Click It Or Ticket” program, which
improved seat belt law compliance from 60% to a
staggering 93%.
In October, the court’s first ever National Night Out
event was a huge success. The court offered traffic
safety materials and there was even a “rollover
simulator” to drive home the traffic safety message.
During Municipal Court Week, the Moulton Municipal
Court held a poster contest for elementary students
with the theme “Every life counts in Moulton, Texas.”
Poster topics included the dangers of drinking and
driving, texting while driving, and speeding, as well as
the importance of safety belts and bicycle safety. The
From L to R: Judge Julie Escalante, Judge Cindy McIntosh,
Amy Kloesel
winning students received a Dairy Queen gift certificate
and had their posters displayed at the courthouse.
National Night Out: October 7, 2014 (Texas)
National Night Out is a great opportunity for citizens and law enforcement to partner up against
crime. It is designed to:
•Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
•Generate support and participation in anti-crime efforts;
•Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations; and
•Let criminals know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Courts often participate by setting up exhibits with traffic safety materials and information about the
court. TMCEC can offer handouts, coloring books, and promotional items with traffic safety messages. Contact tmcec@tmcec.com to see what is available at no charge.
Page 6
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
College Station
Medium Volume
The College Station Municipal Court conducts a litany
of traffic safety and alcohol awareness related activities
and programs. Over the summer, Judge Spillane worked
with Texas A&M on a Peer to Peer Education Pilot
Program called “Watch UR BAC Alcohol Awareness
Program.” In this program, defendants who plead guilty
to alcoholic beverage code violations would participate
in this peer-to-peer program as a part of their
community service hours.
Judge Spillane also worked with the organization “Teens
in the Driver Seat” to develop innovative ways to reduce
the number of teen traffic deaths. The “Take the Pledge”
campaign seeks to not only educate city employees on
the dangers of texting and driving, but also have them
take an oath that they will not text and drive. Over 100
city employees made the pledge.
The College Station Municipal Court also offers Teen
Court as an alternative to traditional fines for teen
offenders. In Teen Court, safe driving habits are
From L to R: Judge Julie Escalante, Lucy Coronilla, Judge Ed Spillane
emphasized through requiring teen drivers to complete
a driver safety course. Non-licensed teens are required
to write a 500 word essay on the dangers, risk, and
consequences of driving without a license. And in Teen
Court, defendants are required to also serve as jurors to
sentence other teen offenders.
Take the Pledge!
TMCEC encourages courts to reach out to their staff and communities to take the No Texting and Driving pledge. We have a poster
available that we can send you at no charge for a formal or informal
pledge ceremony. On our website, we also have pledges for Spring
Break or Christmas holidays: http://www.tmcec.com/mtsi/springbreak-pledge/. There is a pledge for children on field trips, as well
as an accompanying children’s book, “Don’t Monkey with Safety on
Field Trips.”
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Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
La Porte
Medium Volume
The La Porte Municipal Court conducts a wide variety
of traffic safety and alcohol awareness programs on
a regular basis. One of the marquee programs of the
La Porte Municipal Court is the Shattered Dreams
Program. Typically a two-day event, the program
features a staged drunk driving crash involving the
active participation of students, parents, educators,
and community representatives. The impaired student
driver appears in court for a mock arraignment and pretrial hearing. There are also mock obituaries that truly
make the program’s message hit home.
The lobby of the La Porte Municipal Court contains a
wide variety of both English and Spanish traffic safety
materials. There is also a community bulletin board
where DPS and TxDOT posters hang.
The R.O.C.K. Juvenile Program, which stands for
Responsibility, Opportunity, Consequences, Knowledge,
is a form of alternative sentencing for juveniles in La
Porte. The court purchased the SIDNE simulated driving
experience, which allows participants to experience
firsthand the delayed reactions of impaired or
distracted drivers. The court also purchased a complete
From L to R: Judge Denise Mitrano, Sonya Cates, Beverly Washmon,
Cathy Haney, Mayor Louis Rigby
Distracted and Impaired Driving Classroom Kit for the
benefit of R.O.C.K. juveniles. This kit includes “Fatal
Vision Goggles,” Walk the Line tape, DVDs, and more.
The R.O.C.K. program frequently has speakers from
the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol, DPS, and
MADD. The R.O.C.K. program also brought the My Life
My Power program to La Porte, which focuses on antibullying.
Shattered Dreams
Although each community that puts on a Shattered Dreams program does it a little differently, the
basic idea remains the same: Shattered Dreams is an educational experience meant to remind everyone
involved of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. First, each Shattered Dreams program
begins with the dramatization of an alcohol-related car crash on or near a high school campus that is
played out before the student body during a school day. While the students watch, police, fire, and other
emergency personnel respond to the scene. The victim students are transported by ambulance or
helicopter to a local hospital, while the deceased students are transported to a funeral home. The drunk
driver is arrested and transported to jail for booking and arraignment.
If your court would like to start a Shattered Dreams program in your community, a great place to start is
Shattered Dreams: A Guide for Program Planners, available here: http://www.waco-texas.com/pdf/fire/
prevention/shattered-dreams-program.pdf.
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Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
San Marcos
Medium Volume
In San Marcos, the Municipal Court puts a strong
emphasis on reaching out to students of all ages to
educate them on various topics related to traffic safety.
For example, the juvenile case coordinator will discuss
the importance of using a booster seat to kindergartners
and 1st and 2nd graders. One strategy the court uses to
get the message across is to have children repeat catchy
phrases, such as “You must ride in a booster seat until
you’re EIGHT, because they help to keep you SAFE, and
because it’s the LAW!”
For 3rd graders, the juvenile case coordinator discusses
how to stay safe around town, the importance of
not sitting in the front seat until you’re 13 years old,
and information about air bags. Flashcards are also
presented: some depicting safe behavior and some
depicting unsafe behavior. Third graders then identify
which behaviors are safe or unsafe.
During Red Ribbon Week, the juvenile case coordinator
spoke to 6th through 8th graders on the dangers of
alcohol, drinking and driving, and tobacco. The goal is
to preemptively educate these students on the dangers
of drinking and driving before they have their driver’s
licenses. Students also watch a video of the story of
Jacqui Saburido, a young woman who was severely
injured when she was hit by a drunk driver.
The San Marcos Municipal Court of Record also
From L to R: Judge John Burke, Lindsay Mena
collaborated with the local high school to conduct a
mock trial on cell phone use in school zones. This not
only helped students learn about laws concerning cell
phones in school zones, but also educated them on court
procedures.
The San Marcos Municipal Court also took some reactive
measures towards those receiving traffic citations.
Following the belief that “a fine is not always fine”
for juvenile offenders, the court offers alternative
sentencing such as Teen Court or the Alive at 25 drivers’
awareness course. This program for drivers aged
15-24 focuses on the dangers of drinking and driving,
distracted driving, and speeding.
DRSR Flashcards
The flashcards mentioned in this program are part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road (DRSR)
curriculum. A complimentary set may be ordered from TMCEC at no charge (tmcec@tmcec.com). The artwork is also available on the DRSR website: www.tmcec.com/drsr/k-12_curriculum/. Some guest speakers
enlarge the artwork on the flashcards to the size of a letter-size piece of paper and mount them on the stick.
Page 9
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Arlington
High Volume
The Arlington Municipal Court prides itself on
raising traffic safety awareness for all ages – from the
youngest passengers to senior citizens. Court Clerk
Nancy Marshall, a certified child passenger safety
seat technician, routinely performs child safety seat
inspections and has revealed that approximately four
out of every five child seats are installed improperly. Ms.
Marshall used these startling findings to secure a Safe
Riders Booster Mini-Grant. The grant has allowed the
court to give out free booster seats to those in need as
long as they take a course on how to properly install the
seat.
The Arlington Municipal Court has worked in
conjunction with the Arlington Police Department, the
Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, and the media
to work towards decreasing the number of alcoholrelated traffic collisions.
For juveniles, the court offers Teen Court as an
alternative sentencing. At Teen Court, there are often
presentations concerning the dangers of drug and
alcohol use, distracted driving, and pedestrian safety.
The court also has a portable traffic safety booth stocked
From L to R: David Preciado, Say Vang, Melinda Richardson,
Judge Teresa Evans, Stewart Milner, Nancy Marshall
with a multitude of traffic safety materials. The booth is
often brought to schools and local community events.
In May, the court partnered with the City’s Health and
Wellness, Parks and Recreation, and Animal Services
departments to host the First Annual Traffic 1K and 5K
Safety Run/Walk. Awards were given to the winners and
everyone came away with some traffic safety giveaways.
Interested in Starting a Teen Court?
There is a wealth of information available to help municipal courts start a teen court. First and foremost, the Texas Teen Court Association (TTCA) hosts a website (www.txteencourt.com) and an annual
meeting each year. This year’s conference will be in Galveston from November 10-13, 2014 at the Hilton. Their leadership and members are very willing to share forms and materials, as well as talk interested persons through the process of adopting a teen court. There are several models to choose from.
The current President is Julie Monge (jmonge@co.collin.tx.us).
TMCEC, in cooperation with TTCA, often conducts training and planning sessions on teen courts when
funding is available. Watch The Recorder for information, or contact Regan Metteauer (metteauer@
tmcec.com). The TMCEC website also has many useful resources listed (http://tmcec.com/mtsi/teencourt/).
Page 10
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Irving
High Volume
The City of Irving has a municipal court that puts a strong
emphasis on traffic safety. Their second annual Teen
Driver Safety Week featured two compelling speakers:
Sean Carter, who overcame severe injuries sustained in
a drinking and driving crash, and Jamie Nash, who was
involved in a collision because she was texting and driving.
Both speakers spoke in detail to teens about their traumatic
experiences and the importance of preventing similar
crashes in the future.
Teen Driver Safety Week also featured interactive exhibits,
such as a mock field sobriety test. Teens would put on “Fatal
Vision” goggles and a police officer would give them a field
sobriety test. There was also a “Talk, Text, Crash” driving
simulator.
The Irving Municipal Court has an ongoing partnership
with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to provide MADD
Victim Impact Panel sessions for minors with alcohol
offenses. These sessions point out the dangers of drinking
and driving with a focus on changing minors’ attitudes and
behaviors. This program is mandatory for those fulfilling
alcohol-related community service. Judge Anderson also
held a training session for the North Texas Court Clerk’s
From L to R: Judge Rodney Adams, Judge Julie Escalante, Laura
Anderson
Association and presented a session titled “What does
being a court clerk have to do with traffic safety?” In
this presentation she encouraged clerks to evaluate and
increase their municipal traffic safety initiatives.
The Irving Municipal Court participates in numerous
annual traffic safety events including the Walk Like MADD
Walk, Cinco de Mayo, the Irving Bicycle Safety Fair, National
Night Out, and Municipal Court Week.
Celebrate Municipal Courts Week: November 3-7, 2014!
Join municipal courts, city councils, and communities throughout Texas in showing appreciation for the dedicated municipal
judges, court clerks, court administrators, prosecutors, bailiffs, and warrant officers who comprise the Texas municipal courts from
November 3-7, 2014. Municipal Courts Week is a great time to not only recognize how much municipal courts do, but to share
with the public the important role that local courts and their personnel play in the criminal justice system and the larger community.
Possible activities:
•Ask your city council to pass a local resolution
•Host a tour of your court for the city council and the public
•Hold a mock trial with a local high school government class acting as the key players
•Show the court staff what a great job they are doing by having a staff appreciation lunch or a bag lunch hour together
•Host a Q&A column in the newspaper all week to explain how your municipal court works
•Set up an exhibit of traffic safety materials in your court, the city hall, or at a community event
•Need more ideas? Watch the TMCEC website, www.tmcec.com, for additional ways to celebrate Municipal Courts Week
Please send TMCEC information on what you are planning: tmcec@tmcec.com. For more information, go to: http://www.tmcec.
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Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
Balch Springs
Honorable Mention
The Balch Springs Municipal Court has come up with a
unique way to deter speeding by young drivers. After the
death of a minor driver in a single car collision caused
solely by speed, the court, along with prosecutor Bonnie
Goldstein, created “The Death Book.” The Death Book
begins with the young man’s obituary. Young drivers who
are cited for speeding are required to read The Death
Book and then write their own obituary and also write
about the hazards of speeding.
Hutto
From L to R: Judge Julie Escalante, Thelma Hurtado
Honorable Mention
The City of Hutto’s Municipal Court has implemented
monthly themes in order to educate its citizens and
visitors on a wide variety of traffic safety topics. For
example, January was distracted drivers month, April
was drinking and driving month, May was seat belt safety
month, September was the Labor Day drunk driving
crackdown, and December was winter travel safety tips
month. This year round approach ensures that traffic
safety messages are diverse and ever-present.
Page 12
Best Practices
From L to R: Judge Julie Escalante, Taffenie Walton
May 2014
BEST Practices
Pasadena
Honorable Mention
The Pasadena Municipal Court deserves commendation
for their participation in parades and other local events.
In 2013, the court had entry in two parades. At the
Holiday Lighted Parade, the court sponsored the Santa
Claus sleigh with traffic safety messages. The court also
participated in the Pasadena Strawberry Festival parade
with a float highlighting bicycle, skateboard, and roller
skate safety. The court also conducted other projects,
such as having Christmas characters serve as role players
in the explanation of how a jury trial works.
From L to R: Maria Macias Garcia, Sharon Andreno,
Judge Lester Rorick, Gloria Arizmendez
Order Form for DRSR Materials
Name: _____________________________________ Email address:_______________________________
Court: _____________________________________
Mailing address: ______________________________________________________________________
How do you plan on using these materials?:________________________________________________
**Please indicate desired quantities in the blank spaces**
Safe Not Sorry Sticker Book English____ Spanish ____ Big Book____
Safe-T-Squad English____ Spanish____ Big Book ____
Be Careful Lulu English____ Spanish ____ Big Book____
Don’t Monkey Around with Safety in a Cars English____ Spanish ____ Big Book____
Don’t Monkey Around with Safety on Field Trips Spanish____Big Book ____
A Day in the Life of Municipal Court Coloring Book English____ Spanish____
(Copies in quantities of 25, 50, 100 or 175 is appropriate request for the above; usually 1-5 big books is sufficient)
Mock Trial Guide (grades 5-12)
English____ (1-5 copies)
Posters__________________
Which or Topics?:___________________________
Assorted promotional items ______ (indicate number-we will send what we have/pens, highlighters, wristbands)
To receive the materials requested, please fax this form to 512.435.6118, scan and e-mail to ned@tmcec.com,
or mail to Ned Minevitz, 2210 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX, 78756. Note: Materials will be provided as long as
there is funding and the materials are in stock. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery.
Additional resources are located on the DRSR website at www.drsr.info. Questions? Call Ned at 512.320.8274
Page 13
Best Practices
May 2014
BEST Practices
2015 Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives
Awards
Purpose:
To recognize those who work in local municipalities and have made outstanding
contributions to their community in an effort to increase traffic safety. This
competition is a friendly way for municipalities to increase their attention to
decreasing impaired driving in their communities.
Eligibility:
Any municipal court in the State of Texas. Entries may be submitted on behalf of the
court by the following: Judge, Court Clerk, Deputy Court Clerk, Court Manager, Court
Administrator, Bailiff, Marshal, Warrant Officer, City Manager, City Council person,
Law Enforcement Representative, or Community Member.
Awards:
Award recipients will be honored at the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center
(TMCEC) Traffic Safety Conference on March 30, 2015 in Austin, Texas at the Omni
Southpark Hotel.
Nine (9) awards will be given*:
•
•
•
Two (2) in the high volume courts: serving a population of 150,000 or more;
Three (3) in the medium volume courts: serving populations between 30,000 and 149,999; and
Four (4) in the low volume courts: serving a population below 30,000.
For two Municipal Court representatives, award recipients receive complimentary
conference registration, travel to and from the 2015 Municipal Traffic Safety
Initiatives Conference to include airfare or mileage that is within state guidelines,
two nights’ accommodations at the Omni Southpark Hotel, and most meals and
refreshments.
Honorable Mention: If there are a number of applications that are reviewed and
deemed outstanding and innovative, at the discretion of TMCEC, honorable
mentions may be selected. Honorable mentions will be provided complimentary
conference registration for one representative to attend the Traffic Safety Conference
and will be recognized at the Traffic Safety Conference.
Deadline:
Entries must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, December 31, 2014.
Presentation:
Award recipients and honorable mention winners will be notified by February 13,
2015 and honored during the Traffic Safety Conference to be held March 30, 2015 in
Austin, Texas at the Omni Southpark Hotel*.
Details:
For complete award details, submission guidelines, and application form, go to www.
tmcec.com, Municipal Traffic Safety Initiative, Traffic Safety Awards 2015.
*All dependent on continued funding
Page 14
Best Practices
Traffic safety benefits can go
far beyond the traffic stop!
What Can You Do?
• Get involved
• Add traffic safety materials to
your city’s and court’s websites
• Host a warrant round-up with
nearby cities
• Invite school groups into your
court
• Start a proactive fine collection
program
• Recognize situations where a
“fine is not fine”
• Join the TMCEC Save A Life
listserv on traffic safety
• Approve adequate funding,
staff, and support for your
municipal court
• Speak to local civic groups on
the importance of traffic safety
• Build community partnerships
• Set up a traffic safety exhibit
• Ask law enforcement officers
and prosecutors to work
together to identify at-risk
drivers in your community
• Create meaningful sentencing
alternatives for repeat offenders,
especially juveniles and minors
using deferred disposition
• At the close of a trial after
sentencing, remind jurors and
court observers of the
importance of compliance with
traffic laws
• Adopt a safety belt policy for
all city employees
• Participate annually in
Municipal Courts Week and
incorporate traffic safety outreach
May 2014
BEST Practices
Get Involved... A Message from TMCA
Statistics show that Texas has a distinctly significant traffic safety problem. In 2011, approximately 1,165
(39% of all) fatal crashes in Texas were speed-related (NHTSA, 2012). Such crashes in Texas constitute 12%
of all fatal speed-related crashes in the United States (NHTSA, 2012). Perhaps most concerning, more Texans
are killed in traffic crashes and alcohol-related crashes than in any other state (NHTSA, 2012). In 2011,
approximately 3,016 people died on Texas roadways (NHTSA, 2012). We can and must do better.
In FY 13, nearly five million cases adjudicated in Texas municipal courts involved non-parking traffic
violations. Municipal courts are the primary venue for adjudicating traffic-related crimes in Texas. On behalf of
the Texas Municipal Courts Association (TMCA) and Public Outreach Committee, I would like to encourage you
to become involved in your community to address and work to increase traffic safety.
TMCA President,
Judge Julie Escalante
Baytown
Speakers’ Bureau
TMCEC has a speakers’ bureau. Knowledgeable speakers throughout Texas can be drawn upon to speak in their
community on the importance of traffic safety and reducing impaired driving in their communities. There are
resources, materials, and Power Point presentations that will assist you as you speak in the community, organize
field trips and mock trials at your court, or as you provide outreach into your community, which are located on
the TMCEC Municipal Traffic Safety Initiatives website at www.tmcec.com.
To place your name on the speakers’ bureau, please fax this form to TMCEC at 512.435.6118.
Add Me to the Speakers’ Bureau
Name: ________________________________ Court: ______________________________
Tel. #________________________ Email: ________________________________________
Page 15
Best Practices
May 2014
TEXAS MUNICIPAL COURTS
EDUCATION CENTER
2210 HANCOCK DRIVE
AUSTIN, TX 78756
www.tmcec.com
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Austin, TX
Permit No. 114
TMCEC MISSION
STATEMENT
To provide high quality judicial
education, technical assistance,
and the necessary resource
material to assist municipal court
judges, court support personnel,
and prosecutors in obtaining
and maintaining professional
competence.
Address Correction Requested
BEST Practices
Driving on the Right Side of the Road
A grant from the Texas Department of
Transportation has provided funding
for a curriculum for grades K-12 on
traffic safety issues.
Driving on the Right Side of the Road
is a collaborative effort between the
Law-Related Education Department
of the State Bar of Texas, Law Focused
Education, Inc., Texas Municipal
Courts Education Center, Texas
Municipal Courts Association, regional
education service centers, and
teachers in local school districts.
Many of the activities and lessons are
designed for use by a resource person
in the classroom, such as a municipal
judge, to provide information and to
answer any questions that will arise.
Page 16
The Texas Municipal Courts
Association has set up a speakers’
bureau to support teachers’ requests
for resource persons. Email tmcec@
tmcec.com if you are willing to speak
in local classrooms.
The TMCEC website (www.tmcec.com)
will contain sample presentations and
Power Points, as well as information
sheets to help resource persons
develop their presentations.
Generally the materials are only
available to teachers who attend a
training, although sample lessons
will be made available on the TMCEC
website, at the TMCEC regional
programs in FY 15, and in The
Recorder.
Best Practices
2210 Hancock Drive
Austin, Texas
78756
TELEPHONE:
512.320.8274
800.252.3718
FAX:
512.435.6118
E-MAIL:
tmcec@tmcec.com
TMCEC Municipal
Traffic Safety
Initiatives
www.tmcec.com
May 2014