By 1812Blockhouse
At Tuesday night’s Mansfield City Council meeting, Safety Service Director Keith Porch provided a detailed update on the impact of recent measures aimed at curbing dangerous driving and cruising on Park Avenue. These measures, which included the installation of speed bumps and the enforcement of a cruising ordinance, have been in effect since June 21 and were originally scheduled to run until September 7. However, due to their early success, the program was cut short by a week.
Significant Reduction in Accidents
In his update, Porch presented a stat sheet to the council, highlighting a notable decrease in accidents during the period from June 21 to August 22. He pointed out that there were only 13 reported accidents in this time frame, compared to the 181 crashes that had occurred on Park Avenue over a three-year period, averaging about 60 per year. This reduction in accidents is a direct result of the speed bumps and the newly enacted cruising ordinance, according to Porch.
“This demonstrates a significant reduction in accidents since the speed bumps were introduced,” Porch explained. He further elaborated that the speed bumps, installed on June 21, were initially planned to be removed after September 7 but were cut short due to the clear success of the initiative.
Enforcement and Incident Reports
Porch also provided data on law enforcement activities related to the speed bump program. Between June 21 and August 22, there were 125 calls for service on Park Avenue. These calls mainly involved minor complaints that did not result in police reports. Of the total incidents, only 35 led to official reports being filed.
A particularly surprising finding, as noted by Porch, was the low level of enforcement actions. Only two car stops and eight tickets were issued on Park Avenue during this period, despite regular patrolling by officers. “It’s important to note that the presence of speed bumps did not mean we stopped enforcement efforts,” he clarified. Porch emphasized that the combination of speed bumps and the cruising ordinance seemed to have had a calming effect on traffic, resulting in fewer enforcement actions being necessary. Additionally, no cruising citations were issued during this period.
Public Reactions and Concerns
Councilwoman Zader commended law enforcement for their proactive efforts in maintaining a presence on Park Avenue, even after the speed bumps were installed. “It is impressive,” she said, noting the drastic reduction in incidents. Zader pointed out that before the speed bumps, Park Avenue saw an average of 50 incidents per month, which has now dropped to fewer than 18 per month.
Despite the positive impact, there were concerns raised about whether the speed bumps might have caused accidents, particularly at the intersection of Trimble and Park Avenue, which has been known for accidents unrelated to cruising. In response, Porch assured the council that no accidents had been linked to the speed bumps. The necessary signage was properly posted, and the city engineer was involved to ensure compliance with safety standards. He added that no rear-end collisions had been reported as a result of drivers slowing down for the speed bumps.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Safety
The speed bump and cruising ordinance initiatives appear to have successfully reduced accidents and curbed dangerous driving on Park Avenue. While speed bumps may not have been universally popular, their effectiveness is undeniable, as shown by the data presented. Porch acknowledged that the public’s feedback has been mixed, with some residents praising the proactive measures while others have voiced concerns about their inconvenience.
Image by Trevor M from Pixabay
