TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION.

LEGAL AUTHORITY

Act No. 33 of May 23, 1972, as amended, created the Traffic Safety Commission as an organism of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Government Executive Branch to coordinate the planning, administration, and execution of traffic accidents prevention programs. Act No. 33, Article 3, supra, established the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration (ACAA, spanish acronym) as the governmental entity that assigns state funding for the functioning of the Commission.

MISSION

Prevent and reduce death, injuries and property damages caused by traffic accidents.

VISION

Provide quality services that help promote traffic safety and prevent automobile accidents.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Traffic Safety Commission is comprised of the following organizational units:

  • Director's Board
  • Administration Office
  • Internal Audit Office
  • Public Relations Office
  • Executive Director's Office
  • Operations and Planning Office

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

The Traffic Safety Commission is located on Jose De Diego Avenue, Roberto Sanchez-Vilella Governmental Center, South Building, Fifth Floor, in Santurce. In addition, there are two Educational Parks for Traffic Safety (PESET, Spanish acronym). One is located on the grounds of the Manuel Zeno-Gandia Industrial Park in the Transportation and Public Works Department (DTOP, Spanish acronym) Driver's Services Center in the municipality of Arecibo and in the Sports Complex parking lot on Highway 156, Caguas Exit to Aguas Buenas.

PROGRAMMATIC STRUCTURE

POSITIONS FILLED

Authorized and Proposed Positions 2009 2010 2011 2012
Sept./08 Sept./09 Sept./10 Feb./11 Proj.

 

Total amount of positions 42 40 40 40 45

Data comes from the Agency's Certified Headcount Reports. Figures for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 were estimated during the budget formulation process.

PROGRAM


PLANNING AND COORDINATION OF TRAFFIC SAFETY

Program Description

With the support of private enterprise and other Commonwealth of Puerto Rico agencies (for example, the Puerto Rico Police) develop, promote and implement educational programs to prevent traffic accidents and tragedies.



Objectives

  • Increase use of seat belts from 93% to 94% and car seats from 90% to 92%.
  • Reduce deaths caused by drivers under the influence of alchohol by 10% and those caused by speeding by 8%.
  • Reduce motorcycle deaths by 25%.
  • Decrease pedestrian deaths on public roads by 9%.
  • Increase the number of child car seat technicians from 125 to 130 and the number of car seat inspection contracts from 59 to 69.
  • Through Safety Coordinators and 26 community programs continue to provide driver safety and accident prevention education and distribute educational pamphlets and materials.
  • Strengthen private businesses alliances to help disseminate the highway safety message and obtain a higher participation in highway safety education activities.

Statistical Data 2010 2011 2012

 

Children served in Educational Traffic Safety Parks 12,000 12,000 13,000
Percent of car seat use 91 93 95
Percent of deaths caused by drunk drivers 35 40 38
Seat belt use percentage 93 97 98
Traffic accidents deaths 400 400 300

Statistical data provided by the Agency during the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Anyone that transits and uses public roads and highways.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions 2009 2010 2011 2012

Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff 3 10 16 17
Other staff 39 30 24 28
Total, Positions 42 40 40 45

FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 ADOPTED BUDGET

The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 is $13,794,000. The funding includes $12,248,000 in Federal Grants and $1,546,000 from Other Income.

Operational Expenses reflect a decrease of $482,000 in comparison with the funding assigned for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. This is due to a reduction in Federal Grants available for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, specifically the State and Community Highway Safety.

Resources from Other Income are allocated by the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration (ACAA, spanish acronym). This amount will increase depending on the availability of funds. These resources will be used to cover operating costs.

The budget will allow the Commission to comply with the strategic goals and programmatic commitments, for example: educational campaigns about seat belt use, child safety, alcohol prevention, motorcycle safety and improving the traffic collisions data gathering system.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES


Consolidated Budget  (thousands $) 2009 2010 2011 2012

 

Program  
Operational Expenses Actual Actual Budget Adopted
Planning and Coordination of Traffic Safety 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
Total, Program 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
 
Funding Sources  
Operational Expenses  
Federal Grants 10,061 8,267 12,832 12,248
Other Income 1,097 1,058 1,444 1,546
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
Total, Funding Sources 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
 
Expense Category  
Operational Expenses  
Payroll and Related Expenses 1,536 1,621 1,969 2,097
Rent and Utilities 15 12 15 25
Purchased Services 40 22 47 29
Transportation Expenses 25 33 28 33
Professional Services 1,629 1,301 2,153 2,356
Other Expenses 7,885 6,251 10,004 9,169
Equipment Purchases 28 85 60 85
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794
Total, Expense Category 11,158 9,325 14,276 13,794