The Washington State Patrol saw a significant reduction in fatality collisions in identified Target Enforcement Areas (TEA) in 2014. Target Enforcement Areas (TEA) are specific zones in District Two (King County) that are considered to have a higher probability of collisions based on historical data.
This information is mapped and forwarded to troopers who dedicate more time for extra patrols in those specific areas, with the ultimate goal of reducing serious injury and fatal collisions. While targeting areas that have historically had higher issues of collisions, TEA also allows for more efficient and effective patrolling, enforcement and emergency response.
Preliminary data show that the extra patrols in TEA’s are making a difference in the safety of motorists in King County. Below are examples of how TEA is having an effect in King County.
2013: Ten of 15 interstate fatality collisions occurred in identified TEA’s.
2014: Only one of four, interstate fatality collisions occurred in the same identified TEA’s.
“The results are encouraging,” Captain Randy Drake stated. “The increased presence of our troopers in these Target Enforcement Areas appears to be having a significant impact on highway safety.”
Among the other findings; there were seven DUI-related fatalities in 2013 compared to just one in 2014. Speed related fatalities were also reduced.
WSP analysts studied the prior five years of collision data, and 911 emergency calls reporting erratically driven vehicles to determine the location of TEA’s. Troopers record all traffic stops and time spent patrolling in TEA’s; the WSP can analyze that information to evaluate the impact of these patrols in King County.
TEA’s are not only separated geographically but also by time. TEA’s are designated by hour of day and season of the year, so that troopers can have the most accurate information possible to assist them in directing their patrols.
The use of TEA is an important component to the WSP’s goal of Target Zero; having no traffic collision fatalities by 2030.
