A select number of cops around the state are now handing out traffic tickets that require only a computer and printer — no pen and paper necessary.
According to a press release from the Washington Courts, a program to replace written tickets with electronic ones is in its testing phase around the state.
Three troopers in Kitsap have the devices in their patrol cars already, according to Washington State Patrol spokesman Brian George.
Once it gets out of the testing phase, our city police agencies
(Bainbridge, Poulsbo, Bremerton and Port Orchard) as well as the
county sheriff’s office, will be able to utilize it.
I have spoken by e-mail with officers on Bainbridge, Port Orchard and Bremerton, and all have expressed interest in the program, but acknowledge that it will cost money, which could inhibit establishing their programs.
Positives of electronic ticketing include that:
It it takes less time to enter a ticket, so officers can get on their way to have more time for patrol (George estimates it will cut down a troopers’ workload by about 5 minutes per stop)
It reduces errors by reducing hand-written duplication of forms
It can also be used in making collision reports, which again, cuts down on an officers’ time (George says by about 30 minutes per accident)
I’ll be doing a story explaining the full program next week. In the meantime, what do you think of the idea of electronic ticketing?
How soon will Kitsap County get the machines?
New technology making more efficient use of a officer’s time is a plus.
At the least, time saved per day should allow them to be more responsive and able to take more calls.
What does each unit cost?
Sharon O’Hara
I think it’s a GREAT idea. I think Sharon couldn’t have said it better.
A very good friend of ours is a PO cop and is very excited about it. He said it will also reduce the risk to the officer giving the ticket of an angry driver – which of course is more important then anything.
Safety of officers is always uppermost.
A close second is to see they have whatever they need for safety and efficient use of their time.
The community they serve owes their officers the latest, best technology in the marketplace.
They also owe them the best ongoing training available..
Occasional training for the spouse and family might well be helpful and worth future consideration.
Sharon O’Hara
And here’s the best part – no more trying to decipher messy handwriting!
messy handwriting or forgetting to mark a block. I had to actually appear in court once for a fix it ticket because the officer forgot to mark the corresponding block on the ticket.