On February 5, 2001, the Traffic Bureau created the Traffic Education and Safety Unit (TESU). The goal of TESU is to increase community safety through
education and awareness of traffic-related issues. TESU focuses on subjects such as occupant protection
(seat belt and child restraint), youth alcohol issues, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and safety in
school zones. TESU serves as a resource for traffic safety information, brochures, instruction and presentations to individuals, schools, and community groups. The following is a brief summary of the
programs/activities coordinated by the Traffic Education and Safety Unit.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
TESU conducts educational programs in elementary schools to teach children safe walking and bicycling
habits. Presentations consist of classroom instruction as well as hands-on skill activities (pedestrian
or bicycle rodeo events). In addition, officers are involved in School Crossing Guard training to
improve the skills of school staff members responsible for children walking to school.
Seat
Belt and Child Safety Seat Education and Enforcement Officers conduct
awareness and enforcement projects to increase the proper use of seat
belts and child restraints (Car Seats). The officers are certified instructors
and present certification training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians.
They also conduct car seat training and inspections for parents. TESU
officers coordinate an occupant protection enforcement program involving
before and after observational studies, public awareness activities,
and targeted enforcement to increase seat belt and child restraint usage
rates.
Youth Alcohol Squad Officers conduct programs designed to increase awareness of liquor and traffic laws
and the effects of drugs and alcohol on the human body. The squad conducts enforcement programs in an
effort to reduce the availability and abuse of alcohol by underage persons. Alcohol Awareness and
Traffic Safety presentations are conducted in high school classes for juniors and seniors. The squad
also participates in traffic enforcement programs targeting street racing, DUI, and school zones. The
Traffic Education and Safety Unit coordinates the activities of two volunteer programs- Accessibility
Compliance Enforcement Program and the Motorist Assist Program.
Accessibility Compliance Enforcement (ACE) Program Volunteers respond throughout the City issuing disabled parking citations. The ACE mission
is to provide safe and accessible parking spaces for the disabled community through enforcement and
education. Directed response is accomplished by responding to locations identified through the Save Our
Space Hotline. There are currently 20 volunteers providing more than 250 hours of service and writing up
to 200 citations each month.
Motorist Assist Program (MAP) Serving as uniformed civilians, the volunteers assist motorists who have encountered vehicular problems while using City streets. Assistance includes pushing vehicles, starting vehicles, opening vehicle doors (lockout), providing fuel, air, or water, assisting with changing a tire, arranging transportation, or other reasonably required aid to temporarily stranded motorists. Volunteers also work closely with sworn police personnel and may be called to vehicular collision scenes for traffic control or other duties. There are currently 15 volunteers providing more than 500 hours of service each month.
TESU Contact Numbers: 602-534-SPEED (Traffic Complaint Hotline) Complaints and requests for service.Typically, requests are made for speed control, school zone enforcement, aggressive driving, and cut- through traffic in neighborhoods. Calls to this line generate an enforcement request that is worked within 7 days and results are reported to the citizen.
602-534-SPACE (Accessibility Compliance Hotline) The City of Phoenix “Save Our Space” campaign established a telephone hotline to accept handicapped parking complaints and requests for service. These “hotspots” are distributed to ACE volunteers for enforcement.
602-534-TOTS (Child Safety Seat Hotline) Citizens may call this number and receive answers to common installation questions, receive assistance with their installation or receive referrals to agencies who can provide free or low-cost car seats.
1-800-505-BABY (statewide reporting of unrestrained children) Citizens may use this number to report sightings of unrestrained children in vehicles. Information packets are mailed to drivers observed with unrestrained children in their vehicle. This is a service of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, supported by the Phoenix Police Department.
Youth Alcohol Squad Information and Presentations: 602-534-0815
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Information and Presentations: 602-495-2462
The Phoenix Police Department Traffic Bureau Traffic Education and Safety Unit 620 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 If you have questions not answered in this brochure, please contact the TESU office. 602-495-0937
Special accommodations/alternate format materials (large print, Braille, audio tape or diskette) are available upon request. Call 602-534-5500 Funding for this brochure provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The Phoenix Police Department Traffic Bureau Traffic Education and Safety Unit