As the Oxford area continues to grow by leaps and bounds, so does the number of vehicles on the road and the number of traffic violations.
Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski told council last week that as of Sept. 1 his officers have issued an additional 1,245 traffic violations this year compared to all of 2004.
‘Speeding issues seem to be the number one traffic complaint,? the chief reported in a memo to council.
While ‘issuing tickets for speeding certainly is a deterrent to slow drivers down,? Neymanowski noted, ‘our patrol officers cannot be everywhere at once throughout the village.?
‘We need to explore other sources to assist our officers with slowing motorists down in our community,? the chief wrote.
In effort to do this, Neymanowski made a few recommendations to council including purchasing and installing ‘fixed speed monitor signs on M-24 and Burdick.? The approximate cost would be $4,000 to $5,000 per sign.
Basically, these signs measure and display the speed of vehicles. Some alert drivers who exceed the speed limit with flashing lights.
The chief also recommended purchasing a speed monitor trailer, which measures and displays drivers speeds, but can be easily transported to any location unlike a fixed sign. Such a trailer would cost approximately $7,000 to $8,000.
All these devices accomplish the same basic goals ? inform drivers of their speeds so they can police themselves and slow traffic down without tying up officers.
Neymanowski said the village’s current trend of installing stop signs is not a one-size-fits-all solution to the speeding problem.
‘Recently, we’ve kind of moved in the area that if we’ve got a traffic concern about speeding, the easiest solution is putting up stop signs to keep everybody happy.?
But ‘stop signs are really not made to slow people down,? the chief told council.
‘I would like to caution council that stop signs installed in the wrong place for the wrong purposes can create more problems than they solve,? Neymanowski wrote in his memo.
The chief commented on the new stop signs recently installed on N. Glaspie and Pleasant streets
‘I think stop signs have helped . . . So far, it looks like it’s slowing traffic down,? Neymanowksi said of the new north and south stop signs at the intersection of N. Glaspie and Powell streets.
Given the high traffic volume on N. Glaspie Street and a speed limit that immediately doubles from 25 miles per hour in village to 50 mph in the township (where it becomes N. Oxford Road), the chief said the stop signs have worked in that ‘particular situation.?
Council President Renee Donovan agreed. ‘I’ve noticed quite a change.?
When asked if he’s observed traffic slowing down, Councilman Tom Benner, who lives on N. Glaspie Street, replied, ‘Very much so.?
As for the north and south stop signs on Pleasant Street between Dayton and Davison streets (where the Polly Ann Trail crosses), Neymanowski told village officials, ‘I don’t really know if that’s really necessary there, guys.?
‘I question it over at Pleasant Street to be honest with you.?
The chief noted that when he recently visited the area, Bob Decorte, of the Traffic Improvement Association, ‘didn’t see the need for one there.?
Neymanowski said his officers will continue ticketing traffic violators in an effort to change behaviors and deter speeding, but he wants the public to be aware that ‘traffic citations are not a revenue-making program for an agency.?
For example, the chief said his department receives $19.80 out of a $100 traffic fine.
Since July 1, village officers have made 40 court appearances regarding traffic citations, which has cost the department ‘roughly $3,000 in overtime.? And that doesn’t include prosecution fees.
‘Every time we write more tickets, it’s going to cost my agency more money,? Neymanowski said.