Police Traffic Enforcement Project Nets Errant Motorists

By Andrew Gorosko

In response to residents’ complaints about reckless and aggressive drivers, police mounted a special traffic enforcement project in May and June, during which they issued 166 traffic violations to motorists for a variety of vehicular offenses, Police Chief Michael Kehoe said this week.

The enforcement project focused on the heavy-traffic periods of 6 to 10 am, and 4 to 8 pm on selected dates during the two-month period. The project involved about 150 man-hours of police work, Chief Kehoe said.

During the project, police issued 80 infraction tickets for traveling too fast and gave out 22 written warnings for that offense. Police handed out four misdemeanors for speeding and issued three infractions for speeding.

“Traveling too fast” pertains to violations occurring below 55 miles per hour. Infractions for speeding involve motorists who are driving between 55 and 60 mph. Speeding misdemeanors are issued for travel that exceeds 60 mph.

Police issued four motorists infractions for use of a handheld cellular telephone while driving, Chief Kehoe said. One motorist received a written warning for that offense.

Also, three infractions were issued for failure to wear seatbelts. One driver received an infraction for passing in a no-passing zone. One custodial arrest was made for various motor vehicle charges.

Additionally, police issued 28 motorists infractions for making a right turn on a red traffic signal at traffic signals where such turns are prohibited. Also, 12 drivers received infractions and seven motorists received written warnings for stop sign violations.

The enforcement project was conducted using budgeted police department funds, not grant money, the police chief said.

The project targeted those areas that have generated the most traffic complaints.

Police hope to conduct such enforcement projects again in the future, Chief Kehoe said.

Police speed enforcement focused on the following roads: Queen Street, Flat Swamp Road, Swamp Road, Hanover Road, Castle Hill Road, Boggs Hill Road, Botsford Hill Road, Brushy Hill Road, Toddy Hill Road, Riverside Road, Great Hill Road, Bennetts Bridge Road, Glen Road, Currituck Road, Hattertown Road, High Bridge Road, Butterfield Road, Main Street, Poverty Hollow Road, Berkshire Road (Route 34), Mt Pleasant Road, Saw Mill Road, and Oakview Road.

The “right turn on red” enforcement focused on the intersection of Queen Street and Church Hill Road.

Stop sign enforcement was targeted at the intersections of Aunt Park Lane at Hattertown Road, Huntingtown Road at Brushy Hill Road, and Pole Bridge Road at Jeremiah Road.