An “enforcement blitz” against speeding motorists is expected over the coming week as New York performs its an annual “speed week.” The initiative, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, is entering its ninth year in the Empire State. Now an annual tradition, local police stations take to the streets and ramp up enforcement for driver’s disobeying speeding laws.
According to LoHud.com, Westchester residents should not expect any mercy or “warnings” if they are pulled over for speeding sometime in the next week. In fact, the entire slogan for the week is “Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine,” according to the state government’s website. Speaking on the topic of “Speed Week”, New Rochelle Traffic Unit Supervisor Detective Sgt Myron Joseph told LoHud.com, “Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at tremendous risk. Our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert – the posted speed limit is the law.”
Traffic fatalities are one of the leading causes of death in the country and speeding is one of the largest contributors to those deaths – with one estimate finding that 27 percent of all car accidents are caused by speeding. In August 2016, a total of 39 individuals were killed by speeding drivers. In total, police in New York State issued 24,148 tickets during last year’s week-long campaign to stop lead-footed drivers.
Speaking about the program to LoHud.com, New Rochelle resident Robert Gomez said, “It’ll be great. It should be [like that] all the time. The law’s the law.”
“Speed Week” will continue from August 1 to August 7 in Westchester and across New York State.
