Dear Department Leader, 

Thank you for taking an interest in the dangers of speeding by police officers.  Roll Call Reminders such as this are intended to generate a dialogue between supervisors and patrol officers while providing a framework for regular agenda items during staff meetings. The following page will guide you and your officers in discussing when it may or may not be appropriate to speed and what factors officers should consider before driving above the speed limit. Please note that this message only aims to support your safe driving efforts and is not meant to replace your current driver safety strategies. 

Law enforcement officers spend a great deal of time driving, which naturally increases their risk of being in an accident. Add to that the dangers that come from driving in emergency response or police pursuits and it is no wonder that traffic-related accidents continue to be a leading cause of police officer deaths (National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund).

The need to drive their patrol vehicle at a high rate of speed will arise during a police officer’s shift.  When responding to emergencies, an officer may exceed the speed limit; however, they must do so without creating unreasonable risk.  When an officer makes the decision to exceed posted speed limits while responding to priority calls or emergency calls for service, they must drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.  Officers should consider the following: 

• Urgency and need of the situation
• Roadway and weather conditions
• Visibility
• Speed and volume of other vehicular traffic
• Ability to safely control the squad car at the speed driven
• Whether or not the squad car is equipped with emergency lights and siren
• Condition and maintenance needs of the vehicle

A police officer driving fast merely to drive fast is never acceptable; however, there are times officers may need to drive above the speed limit and they are exempt under certain circumstances.  Most states have statutes specifically governing emergency driving privileges.  

What can your agency do in response to the NLEOMF findings?  Encourage your officers to slow down. 

Roll Call Reminder

This Roll Call Reminder discusses the dangers of speeding.  The intent is to have a department leader or designated team member read the reminder aloud to the team.  After hearing the message, work together to answer and respond to the questions that follow.  To conclude the conversation, it is important that you acknowledge the dangers of speeding along with factors you must consider when deciding to initiate or continue driving at high rates of speed.  
 

Welcome Law Enforcement Officers,

Speeding endangers everyone on the road, including police officers.  The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) reports that traffic-related accidents continue to be a leading cause of police officer deaths.  Furthermore, single-vehicle crashes are among the leading circumstance of those traffic-related fatalities.

• What situations most frequently involve driving your squad at a high rate of speed? 
• What do you think is the most likely thing to go wrong when speeding?
• What would cause you to want to slow down?
• What factors should you consider before deciding to exceed posted speed limits when responding to an emergency?

Acknowledge the potential impacts of driving at high rates of speed while responding to priority calls or emergency calls for service.  Take into account factors such as:

• Urgency and need of the situation
• Roadway and weather conditions
• Visibility
• Speed and volume of other vehicular traffic
• Ability to safely control the squad car at the speed driven
• Whether or not the squad car is equipped with emergency lights and siren
• Condition and maintenance needs of the vehicle

Slow down! It is important for you to obey the traffic laws and rules of the road while on routine patrol.  Speeding without due caution can endanger not only your life but also the lives of others.  If you make the decision to exceed posted speed limits when responding to an emergency, you must drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.  

References
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). (n.d.). Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths. Retrieved from https://nleomf.org/facts-figures/causes-of-law-enforcement-deaths