POLICE: Radar is the main way to catch speeders

By Britney Milazzo<br><a href="mailto:britney.milazzo@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Britney</a>

LOCKPORT — by britney milazzo

britney.milazzo@lockportjournal.com

The Lockport Police Department is aiming to step up enforcement around school zones, Traffic Capt. Michael F. Niethe said this week.

Niethe said since the start of school last September there have been less tickets in school zones, but said the department’s main goal is not necessarily to reduce driver speed.

“More than anything, we want to bring the number of fatalities to zero,” Niethe said.

He said last year there were four fatalities, a “drastic increase” from the last five years, which averaged less than one.

Niethe did say, however, enforcing the rules of the road in school zones are still extremely important.

“Of course we want to keep students and other pedestrians safe in those areas,” Niethe said.

Roberta Donovan, principal of John E. Pound Elementary School, said her student’s safety comes first and is happy LPD is going out of their way to enforce the areas around city schools.

“When possible, we see police do the best they can to monitor the area,” Donovan said. “What’s really important is that they make sure the blinking light is working properly.”

John E. Pound Elementary School is one of six city schools controlled by a light in its vicinity to warn drivers to take precaution.

Although Donovan thinks it is unrealistic to have a 24/7 watch over her school by law enforcement, she said police are still very helpful.

“It’s lovely that they keep a high profile,” Donovan said.

The main school zone that gives LPD the largest problem is Charles Upson Elementary School.

Niethe said the school zone is a corridor to the city, which means the speed limit immediately drops to 20 mph on Beattie and Harding avenues from the Town of Lockport.

The school’s administration was not available to comment Friday.

Niethe said the department attempts to the best they can to address problems that come to their attention when it regards traffic control in school zones.

“We address school complaints,” Niethe said. “The main complaint is about drivers passing stopped busses.”

And during school bus pickup and drop-off is a time road patrol covers the school area extensively, police said.

Niethe said officers do the best they can to enforce traffic laws, but explained that it’s hard to prevent drivers from speeding.

“We mainly catch speeders by radar enforcement,” Niethe said. He said each patrol vehicle is equipped with a radar gun that is “extremely accurate.”

In a report from Niethe, he said the radar was deployed at 134 locations in the city resulting in a total of 743 speeding tickets.

“There was a continued enforcement of speed zones especially on South Transit Street, West Avenue and school speed zones throughout the year,” Niethe said in the document.

Niethe said the average excessive speed in those area is about 14 or 15 mph more than the speed limit.

“What many people don’t know is that a school speed zone is only restricted to the main road the school is located on,” Niethe said, not surrounding roads.

In the city, the school speed limit is 20 mph between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

One way to keep speed enforcement on track is by STEP — Selective Traffic Enforcement Program — that will begin next month.

Niethe said the program is funded by a grant form the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee that promotes the enforcement of moving violations.

“This will hopefully reduce crashes and keep drivers aware of road rules,” he said.

Contact reporter Britney Milazzo

at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

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