Meeting Minutes Monday, 10/24/2016 – Augusta, Maine
Attendees: Greg Stone, Paul Niehoff, Linda Grant, Dottie Muchmore, Pat Moody, Charlene Oakley, Patrick Adams, Eric Fuller, Kate Lanquet, Doug Jones, Joe Howe, Duane Brunell, Michelle Ward, Lauren Stewart, Wayne Emington, Dwight Hines, Mike Allen, and Lorry Plante.
Welcome and Introductions
Business Meeting
· June Minutes: Eric made a motion to pass which was seconded. Minutes accepted.
· Treasurer’s Report: Michelle passed out the Treasurer’s Report from 6/27 – 10/24/2016. Report accepted.
Michelle stated that we’re below the minimum bank balance amount so are being charged $5.00 monthly. A minimum of $5,000 must be in the account in order to avoid being charged $5.00 monthly.
Lauren suggested checking with area credit unions as they don’t require a minimum amount in a business account. Michelle reported that the most expensive item for the Committee is the Newsletter.
Duane encouraged sending in safety items to be included in the Newsletter.
Your Transportation Safety Happenings:
· Maine Public Crash System: Duane discussed its capabilities as a “basic user” vs. “advanced user” and how you access the data. There’s three areas (statistics, maps and high crash locations) in which to run queries from. It’s a very intuitive system that does not require a sign-on for basic users. For the advanced users, you would have to get login information from Duane. The link to access the System is https://mdotapps.maine.gov/MaineCrashPublic. Suggestions are welcome. Duane stated that BHS funded the Public Crash System.
· A draft copy of the 2016 Highway Safety Facts were circulated. The final copy will soon be available.
· Lauren reported that there are 112 fatalities to date. There were 156 fatalities for the full year in 2015. The biggest increase in crashes involved 16-19 year-olds. There have been 11 fatalities in this age group compared to 5 for the year in 2015. There have been 28 fatalities to date involving mature drivers (65+) compared to 34 last year. There have been 11 pedestrian fatalities to date. Lauren reported that Jessica is no longer with BHS, and that she accepted another position.
· Duane reported that fatal motorcycle crashes spiked last year, but have moderated this year. Pedestrian crashes are currently being studied to look for trends. The official fatality numbers come from BHS Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Nationally, we’re up about 7%. New England states, other than Maine, are mostly seeing increased fatalities this year. Maine has fewer fatalities compared to last year, but those trends can quickly change.
· Greg reported that the Maine Turnpike Authority has been tracking traffic volumes weekly, and is heaviest from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The volume increase is about 4% per month across all classes. There’s a new interchange to Lewiston. A new southbound interchange in Gray opened this morning. The temporary ramps seem to be working well. Fatalities have increased and it’s been tough to come up with any trend. There were some hydroplaning incidents earlier in the year.
· PACTs is looking at planning and safety in 18 communities. They’re studying the high crash locations (HCLs) and will come up with a safety plan. They are looking at systemic issues.
· Linda reported that it’s now mandatory for motorcyclists to take the hands-on course.
· Dottie reported out on the recent School Bus Safety Conference in that it went well and they had a good speaker. She noted the networking benefits that come from working with MTSC members.
· Pat urged people to vote “No” on Question 1. AAA as an advocacy organization, is always taking steps to save lives and is concerned about the passage of Question 1 and the safety issues involved. Marijuana impaired crashes have doubled in Washington since the passage in their Marijuana law. The Criminal Justice Academy is working with teen drivers and mature drivers. Pat also mentioned the upcoming Vermont Impaired Driving Conference. AAA has been conducting vehicle checks for safety in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
· Duane mentioned Harri Sterling, with AAA, as a great resource. Pat reported that Harri has been to all three Northern New England states making presentations.
· Patrick Adams reported that just over a year ago, he convened a new bike and pedestrian group and started working on identifying and strategizing best ways of keeping bicyclists and pedestrians safe. The Bike and Ped Group came up with the Campaign, “Heads Up! Safety is a Two-Way Street!” The group will be reconvening in November to come up with ideas on moving forward. While the program does reach out to the school age population, the population that has a significant problem is mature, homeless and immigrants. They look for the best means to reach them. Duane pointed out that we need to reach all road users - motorists, bikes and pedestrians. Paul reported on the challenge of sharing the road. Patrick pointed out that distracted driving has impact on all three groups: motorists, bikes and pedestrians. One thing he noted that really stood out with the bike and pedestrian group was being responsible for your own safety.
· Lauren reported that the mobile equipment for impaired blood tests is now available. They have a roadside testing vehicle.
· Lauren reported that the observational study for 2016 seat belt use is 85.8%, which is up a little. BHS has $2 million for distracted driving, $1.8 million for impaired, of which impaired crashes account for one-third of our fatal crashes. BHS also pays for the Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) tests.
· Eric stated that motorcycle fatal crashes have dropped this year and now we’re more at the norm. UBM endorses the new motorcycle law that requires the hands-on course. Eric also mentioned that the new hot top being used is more slippery for motorcyclists. He questioned the materials being used. Recommended temporary white marks with fresh paving.
· Katie reported that Lincoln County is coming up with a motorcycle course. They emphasize its importance.
· Doug reported that he is representing a tailgating organization and used to work as an EMT. He stated that he’s trying to research tailgating, but getting to the data has been difficult. They are trying to develop a commercial driving manual for each state. Even though the two-second rule is used, he didn’t agree with the reaction time because he believes it takes more than two seconds to react. The tailgating group advocates for five seconds following distance instead of two. Doug stated that he knew they would get pushbacks with the five-second rule, but is trying to educate people. He stated that four out of 10 crashes are related to tailgating.
· Wayne reported that the FHWA grant proposal for Bangor is $600,000. They have a strategic plan for bikes and pedestrians. Their goal is to increase the number of trips and reduce the number of fatalities.
· Duane stated that DOT is getting engineers out on bikes to areas of concern. MaineDOT has done a similar exercise to familiarize engineers with visually impaired issues.
· Mike reported that there will be a 3M meeting in Portland next year. They are focusing on Vision 0, manufacturers, work zones, signs, systemic programs and wrong way.
· Eric F. commended the networking going on between UBM, DOT and BHS.
· Wayne gave a presentation on Updated Transportation performance measures and timeliness related to safety, and update on FHWA’s Every Day Counts. A copy of the presentation slides is attached and here’s a link to key resources: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/spm/.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50.
Next meeting date: Monday, February 27, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
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