The Critical Importance of Police Driving Training

To date, we have lost seventy-seven police officers nationwide in the line of duty. Tragically, twenty-seven of these deaths involved vehicles. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), line-of-duty deaths have surged by 15% in the first half of 2024. A significant portion of these losses is due to inadequate driving training. Below, we explore the key reasons why comprehensive police driving training is essential:

Reducing Collisions: The Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) lists police vehicle crashes among the most costly claims. A few years ago, the Macon Police Department in Georgia made annual police driving training mandatory. This proactive approach led to a 30% reduction in crash-related expenditures and a remarkable 95% decrease in skidding or braking accidents. Similarly, police departments and corporate clients that engage in annual driving training with DriveTeam have seen a 40% reduction in collisions.

Mitigating Injuries and Fatalities: Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of injuries in law enforcement. With more crashes comes a higher potential for injuries. Pursuits are also at an all-time high. According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), seven out of ten pursuits end in a crash, five out of seven result in injuries, and one out of five leads to fatalities. Over the past twenty years, vehicle-related deaths have frequently topped the list of causes for police officer fatalities. For example, in 2014, fifty officers died in vehicle-related incidents, forty-nine in 2015, and forty-four in 2016. This year, we’ve already lost twenty-seven officers, and the year is only halfway through. In 2009, the Las Vegas Police Department tragically lost three officers in vehicle crashes within six months. In response, they mandated driving training for every officer starting in 2010. Over the next three years, they reported zero vehicle-related deaths and saved $1.1 million in associated costs. Comparable studies of departments similar in size to Las Vegas show that those without driving training saw no change in vehicle death statistics.

Enhancing Community Safety: When police departments avoid vehicle crashes, the roadways in their cities become safer. Additionally, when officers don’t wreck cruisers, taxpayer money doesn’t have to be allocated for new vehicles. A department that isn’t constantly requesting funds for replacement cruisers contributes to a happier, more trusting community. Safer driving by officers leads to safer communities. Moreover, when police officers serve as role models in driving, they help build greater trust and confidence in the police department.

Reducing Liability: According to the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA), the number one trigger for lawsuits against police is a lack of training. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1983, police officers can be sued for almost anything, and so can their departments and cities for inadequate training. Each year, approximately 30,000 lawsuits are filed against law enforcement agencies. Among the most common claims are those involving driving, use of force, and 4th Amendment violations. In the case of Flores vs. City of South Bend, the city was sued for inadequate driver training and ended up paying a substantial settlement. Similarly, a Niagara County Sheriff’s deputy struck an SUV in New York, resulting in a $2.75 million lawsuit against the department. On a positive note, most departments that conduct annual driving training experience a 10-30% reduction in their insurance rates.

Improving Skills, Habits, and Decision-Making: Why do police officers undergo firearms training? Experts tell us it’s to refine their skills. Ironically, most officers will go their entire careers without ever firing their service weapons, yet they train extensively in firearms. In contrast, every officer will drive a vehicle in an emergency response or pursuit, but most receive no driving training beyond the academy. This paradox highlights a critical gap: the task officers perform most frequently—driving—is the one they train for the least. Driving is a skill that requires continuous practice to master. The more officers train, the more likely these skills will become second nature, allowing them to focus on making sound decisions. Good decision-making is the hallmark of a skilled driver.

We still have availability in our remaining 2024 classes. Please log in to DriveTeam.com to enroll your officers in essential driving training. Together, we can work to reduce these tragic incidents, improve knowledge and skills, and enhance decision-making.

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