EQ-11
10-06-2007, 12:45 PM
Montville — State and local police are handing out tickets to Montville speeders as a not-so-subtle reminder to slow down.
Montville Police Department, with help from the Connecticut State Police Traffic Unit, kicked off a zero-tolerance campaign this month against speeding.
On Thursday, police officers from Montville and three members of the Connecticut State Police Traffic Services Unit gathered on Route 32, near St. Bernard School, in an area with a speed limit of 40 mph. All three members of the traffic services unit were in unmarked vehicles — two 2007 Dodge Chargers and an older model Ford Crown Victoria.
Resident State Trooper Sgt. Michael Collins described the effort as educating the community about speeding while backing it up with enforcement.
“We're putting in all of our efforts to let them know that we aren't going to tolerate speeding,” Collins said.
Montville police say they've been flooded with complaints from residents about speeders on the town's roadways. Police Lt. Leonard Bunnell said there have been 415 complaints of speeding and reckless driving since January 2006.
Police used laser guns that allowed them to record speeds from almost half a mile away. Officers said they used lasers because they are more accurate than radar guns. The laser beams can target one specific vehicle whereas radar finds the largest traveling object.
While police called it zero tolerance, there was some tolerance. It is under the discretion of the police officer whether to issue a written warning or summons.
Trooper Zack Abbey of from the State Police Traffic Services Unit positioned the laser gun against his chest, the gun pointed out the window at cars driving north on Route 32. As cars came to the crest of a hill, he was able to clock their speed.
The officers try to remain as hidden as possible, he said. “We need to get people doing what they're really doing,” Abbey said.
There are challenges for the traffic unit. Abbey said motorists often signal other drivers by turning their headlights on and off, to notify them that a police officer is near and checking speeds.
Collins said this defeats the purpose of enforcement.
“Do not flash these people. They need to be slowed down,” Collins said. “Those people warned are the ones we need to deal with.”
As cars came over the hill, it was obvious that some drivers identified the unmarked vehicle. Some drivers jammed on their brakes to slow down quickly; the front of those cars dipped forward to indicate braking.
Then a small Toyota came over the hill. Abbey recorded the driver doing 51 mph in a 40 mph zone. After a signal from Abbey, Collins' lights went on, and he pulled over the vehicle.
“It's zero tolerance,” Collins said, as he took off.
At the same time, another trooper reported over the radio that he pulled over a vehicle that was traveling 63 mph in a 40 mph zone on Route 32 south.
Shortly afterward on Route 2A, Abbey pulled over a motorcycle going 71 in a 50 mph zone. The driver's fine for the offense would be $213.
“He didn't have much to say, just that it wasn't his lucky day,” Abbey said.
Most of the drivers were charged with traveling too fast with fines that depend on the speed that was recorded. Other drivers were cited for driving while talking on a cell phone, driving without a seat belt and other infractions.
Collins said he hopes to continue the zero-tolerance campaign as long as possible. He said the police department should be eligible for a state grant that would allow additional enforcement on the roads, and help may still be available, at times, from the State Police Traffic Services Unit.
“Basically, we're trying to get the message out,” Collins said.
Last month a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a motorist while walking on Route 32 near Mohegan Sun. Collins said he's meeting with the mayor to see what police can do to make the area safer. The mayor suggested other initiatives, such as Public Works adding better lighting and sidewalks in the nearby neighborhoods.
Most of the motor vehicle accidents in Montville are speed-related, Collins said.
a.renczkowski@theday.com
Montville Police Department, with help from the Connecticut State Police Traffic Unit, kicked off a zero-tolerance campaign this month against speeding.
On Thursday, police officers from Montville and three members of the Connecticut State Police Traffic Services Unit gathered on Route 32, near St. Bernard School, in an area with a speed limit of 40 mph. All three members of the traffic services unit were in unmarked vehicles — two 2007 Dodge Chargers and an older model Ford Crown Victoria.
Resident State Trooper Sgt. Michael Collins described the effort as educating the community about speeding while backing it up with enforcement.
“We're putting in all of our efforts to let them know that we aren't going to tolerate speeding,” Collins said.
Montville police say they've been flooded with complaints from residents about speeders on the town's roadways. Police Lt. Leonard Bunnell said there have been 415 complaints of speeding and reckless driving since January 2006.
Police used laser guns that allowed them to record speeds from almost half a mile away. Officers said they used lasers because they are more accurate than radar guns. The laser beams can target one specific vehicle whereas radar finds the largest traveling object.
While police called it zero tolerance, there was some tolerance. It is under the discretion of the police officer whether to issue a written warning or summons.
Trooper Zack Abbey of from the State Police Traffic Services Unit positioned the laser gun against his chest, the gun pointed out the window at cars driving north on Route 32. As cars came to the crest of a hill, he was able to clock their speed.
The officers try to remain as hidden as possible, he said. “We need to get people doing what they're really doing,” Abbey said.
There are challenges for the traffic unit. Abbey said motorists often signal other drivers by turning their headlights on and off, to notify them that a police officer is near and checking speeds.
Collins said this defeats the purpose of enforcement.
“Do not flash these people. They need to be slowed down,” Collins said. “Those people warned are the ones we need to deal with.”
As cars came over the hill, it was obvious that some drivers identified the unmarked vehicle. Some drivers jammed on their brakes to slow down quickly; the front of those cars dipped forward to indicate braking.
Then a small Toyota came over the hill. Abbey recorded the driver doing 51 mph in a 40 mph zone. After a signal from Abbey, Collins' lights went on, and he pulled over the vehicle.
“It's zero tolerance,” Collins said, as he took off.
At the same time, another trooper reported over the radio that he pulled over a vehicle that was traveling 63 mph in a 40 mph zone on Route 32 south.
Shortly afterward on Route 2A, Abbey pulled over a motorcycle going 71 in a 50 mph zone. The driver's fine for the offense would be $213.
“He didn't have much to say, just that it wasn't his lucky day,” Abbey said.
Most of the drivers were charged with traveling too fast with fines that depend on the speed that was recorded. Other drivers were cited for driving while talking on a cell phone, driving without a seat belt and other infractions.
Collins said he hopes to continue the zero-tolerance campaign as long as possible. He said the police department should be eligible for a state grant that would allow additional enforcement on the roads, and help may still be available, at times, from the State Police Traffic Services Unit.
“Basically, we're trying to get the message out,” Collins said.
Last month a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a motorist while walking on Route 32 near Mohegan Sun. Collins said he's meeting with the mayor to see what police can do to make the area safer. The mayor suggested other initiatives, such as Public Works adding better lighting and sidewalks in the nearby neighborhoods.
Most of the motor vehicle accidents in Montville are speed-related, Collins said.
a.renczkowski@theday.com