Could a Law Enforcement Traffic Emphasis Support Itself?

[BN1]

There's always a lot of chatter about Omaha's aggressive drivers and scofflaws. Speeding, red light running, tailgating, no plates, expired tags, etc.

Could a police emphasis on traffic related rules support itself? For example, could a crew of 6 officers and 3 cruisers write enough tickets to cover their expenses? Would the people welcome it?

[almighty_tuna]

That's why there are various grants. You'll see that especially around holidays where extra crews are out to enforce DUI/click it or ticket/etc.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Finding officers who only want to work traffic enforcement is weirdly tricky these days. And implementing traffic calming measures and enforcement technology of other types is usually more cost effective.

[Brad]

Doesn’t Omaha already have dozens of traffic officers, a.k.a. “Tom Units“ on staff?

Either way, I don’t think adding six officers and three cruisers as you suggest would even make a dent in it. I think on your average shift for a city size of Omaha you would need dozens more than we currently have to make a noticeable difference.

Omaha has over a 1000 traffic lights and I feel like there is at least one traffic violation every light cycle at most traffic lights. I see police writing tickets on the West Dodge Expressway nearly every day and it hasn’t made one bit of difference in speeding.

[nebugeater]

I will say it again.

For those who think Omaha and Nebraska in general are worse than other places, they must not get out much. Not saying it isn't an issue, but it is not an Omaha issue at a level different from many or most other places

[CBJason]

I will say it again.

For those who think Omaha and Nebraska in general are worse than other places, they must not get out much. Not saying it isn't an issue, but it is not an Omaha issue at a level different from many or most other places

You are absolutely correct, as I have also been saying!

[Garrett]

People saying “Blank city has the worst drivers” is the equivalent of saying “If you don’t like the weather in blank, wait 5 minutes and it will change”

[thenewguy]

People saying “Blank city has the worst drivers” is the equivalent of saying “If you don’t like the weather in blank, wait 5 minutes and it will change”

agree. and i think it has more to do with society has become as a whole. people just don't give a |expletive| about other people, and the sense of entitlement runs deep. God save you if you are going any less than 5 mph over the speed limit or you're toast

[nebugeater]

People saying “Blank city has the worst drivers” is the equivalent of saying “If you don’t like the weather in blank, wait 5 minutes and it will change”

Correct

You have to wait 15 Min.

[ThreeGGG]

I have driven in Minneapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, Indianapolis, and can honestly say that the Omaha drivers are without a doubt the worst I have ever encountered. The overall aggressiveness, and disregard for safety are alarmingly dangerous to all.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I have driven in Minneapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Seattle, Indianapolis, and can honestly say that the Omaha drivers are without a doubt the worst I have ever encountered. The overall aggressiveness, and disregard for safety are alarmingly dangerous to all.

To others' points, it all depends on one's own personal driving discipline and expectations as well as length of experience in other places, but I strongly believe that St. Louis drivers are "worse." They're not aggressive, but they don't pay attention and possess a complete and utter lack of lane etiquette. The St. Louis driver is of the mind that they are the only car on the road and all other drivers are just a figment of their imagination. I much preferred the drivers when I lived in Chicago.

[OverlookedFarm]

Omaha isn't bad, compared to other metros. I think it's all about the timing of when and where you experience aggressive drivers. In around school pickup time, game day kickoff times, people coming and going from events and pool parties.

When the chips fall (AKA when accident happens) you start to see what the underlying causes of this poor or aggressive driving.

1. Medicated, mixed meds
2. Drunk-buzzed driving
3. Altered mental/emotional state or mind elsewhere.
4. Don't understand the English language and or road rules and/or don't care.
5. Distracted driving (kids, phones, carload of teenagers, etc)

In the 2 accidents and subsequent 2 ER visits I've been involved with in town in my life, #5, #4 and #1 have been the main culprits.

The general public in straight crazy on a normal day. Put them in a 4,000lb missile with hit-and-miss proof of financial responsibility, you have a recipe for disaster. I'm surprised it works as well as it does. I remember in the early-mid 90s when I was learning to drive, with the absence of cell phone cameras, it really was the wild west of road rage. The sh-- has calmed down a lot in the past 20 some years.

Back to topic, I don't think OPD really makes much effort to pull people over for traffic infractions unless it's super convenient. I think they can't have their entire roster tied down reporting to court dates for every single DUI they decide to book. Does it warrant a traffic division? No, because once the chips fall, and the surface gets scratched, more often than not, it quickly gets out of just the traffic scope.