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Police department working to ensure speed limit compliance
By Kenny Green, kgreen@acnpapers.com
The Rowlett Police Department is actively involved in a campaign to reduce the amount of hazardous driving occurring within the city. One of the major issues the department hopes to address is the amount of speeding that occurs within the city limits.
"Too many lives are lost each year in speeding-related crashes," said Lt. Leroy Brantley, commander of the Rowlett Police Department traffic unit. "Drivers need to remember that there is a reason posted speed limits exist. The roadways are a dangerous place and the speed limits are designed to protect -- drivers, passengers, pedestrians -- everyone. The next time you get behind the wheel, please remember to stop speeding before it stops you."
According to its most recent information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that 10,591 lives were lost across the national in speed-related crashes during 2009, with 1,228 of those happening in Texas.
Speeding reduces a driver's ability to slow a vehicle when necessary or to steer safely around an unexpected curve, another vehicle or hazardous object in the roadway. The NHTSA said that a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 to 50 miles per hour is five times more likely than on a road where the speed limit is 40 miles per hour or below.
"With all the smooth concrete around town after the completion of the turnpike speeds are going to tend to drift up. The smooth concrete will also assists officer on enforcing violations. A lot of times we see cars performing hazardous maneuvers but aren't able to get to them to warn them," Brantley said. "Better enforcement makes us more efficient which benefits the taxpayers since they are paying for the officers to be out there."
Brantley said that speeding is just one of the many concerns the department is attempting to address on a daily basis within the city.
"Right now the biggest thing causing accidents are hazardous maneuvers which include following too close and failure to yield the right-of-way when turning left at an intersection," Brantley said. "We have a traffic officer that has a laser that can assist in calculating when vehicles are following too close. We just ask that motorists be alert, be attentive and obey the speed limit because the life you save could be your own."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
pbnjrrats wrote on Feb 16, 2012 6:36 AM:
" Speed enforcement for Carla Drive from Miller Rd. and Dogwood Tr. would certainly enhance our safety. We are afraid of being run down by people using Carla as a bypass of the intersection at Miller and Rowlett Rd. Children from the elementary school as well as walkers are constantly endangered by careless speeders. Thanks for considering this issue and thanks for the terrific job peformed by the Rowlett Police Department. "
Flyhigh44 wrote on Feb 16, 2012 1:51 PM:
" I am not for wanton speeding and disrespecting the law, but seriuosly, in same areas the speed limits are way too low.
Also, enforcing speed limit raises revenue for City and State.....that is the big business...so, why not spend the grant money on something that makes more money?
How about go apprehend the real criminal, such as gang bangers, drug dealer, robbers etc.??
Maybe not, after all catching the above mentioned crooks only adds to the paperwork and produce no revenue. "
Also, enforcing speed limit raises revenue for City and State.....that is the big business...so, why not spend the grant money on something that makes more money?
How about go apprehend the real criminal, such as gang bangers, drug dealer, robbers etc.??
Maybe not, after all catching the above mentioned crooks only adds to the paperwork and produce no revenue. "
georgia wrote on Feb 16, 2012 10:50 PM:
" I live on Clay Mathis Is Mesquite. It is the longest stretch of 35 MPH road I have ever driven. 5 miles of slooooow . Ok the pint is I drive 35 -37 MPH every day and I see drivers flying down thte road including Mesquite Police, If I even think about speeding I will get a ticket. (no luck) . I have seen the Mesquite polce fly by me and pull in the 7/11 I feel that if a police is going to speed pass a driver obeying the law then they should have there lights on. even if silent. "
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