Many areas have implemented the use of traffic tools to enhance speed limit enforcement without the physical presence of law officers. As police departments examine the data to learn if these tools are effective, they are discovering that they do keep the streets safer.
New York Speed Enforcement Camera Program
New York lawmakers are currently deciding whether to continue New York City’s speed enforcement camera program, which will soon expire. Records indicate that crashes citywide become less likely when the cameras are turned on. The current speed camera law permits the city’s 750 cameras, which are located near schools, to operate on weekdays, from 6 am to 10 pm.
Nationwide, crashes were consistently rising, until there was a sharp decline in crashes for 2020 and 2021 time period, which coincided with the pandemic shutdowns. Now the number of crashes are beginning to climb, and the increases are occurring during the hours when the cameras are turned off. The success of the camera program in enforcing speed laws and reducing fatalities has some lawmakers working to not only extend but expand the camera use to 24/7 operation.
Dynamic Speed Monitoring Displays As a Deterrent
Long-term effectiveness of dynamic speed monitoring displays, such as RADAR speed displays and RADAR speed trailers, has been studied and demonstrated to reduce speeding, as long as the displays remain in place. One such study was conducted at various transition points, where two-lane highways entered residential areas and speed limits dropped. The study found overall decreases in speed of approximately six to eight mph at the transition points studied.
Speed monitoring displays are effective for alerting, informing, and reminding drivers of the speed limits in the area. When combined with traffic data collection, they also provide law enforcement officers with valuable insights, such as what time of day speeding is most likely to occur. This allows departments to use officers’ time more effectively by indicating when vehicle patrols will be most needed. Using StealthStat II traffic data collection before and during RADAR display use, police can measure the effectiveness of the speed calming device deployment.
Assistance for Departments Beginning Speed Enforcement
As a leading provider of technology tools for law enforcement, Kustom Signals is proud to offer assistance for police departments that want to start a speed enforcement program. Through our website, you can connect with a variety of resources, including the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance cooperative purchasing program and grants assistance.
Kustom Signals has also been awarded the NASPO Valuepoint Agreement for Police RADAR/LIDAR Speed Enforcement & Speed Advisory Systems, Parts and Accessories. Request a quote to learn more about how we can help you enhance your department’s effectiveness with a speed enforcement program.