Speed Enforcement Week Take II in Rockland

by M.C. Millman

After a successful Speed Awareness Week Traffic Safety Mobilization in June, the Ramapo Police Department will hold a second round of the program starting tomorrow, Monday, August 14, and going through Sunday, August 20. 

The high visibility campaign aimed at reducing incidences of speed-related crashes is sponsored by the New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), which holds the speed enforcement week campaign annually.

The first round of the dedicated traffic enforcement 2023 campaign conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department enforcement detail as part of Speed Awareness Week was mainly focused on encouraging motorists to slow down, ensuring safer roadways for all. During the June week-long campaign, 24 traffic tickets were issued for various speed-related violations. 

"While we enforce traffic laws to maintain order," Ramapo Police Department Sargeant Sean Baird shared with Rockland Daily. "Our ultimate goal is to keep our citizens safe and create a secure environment for both vehicles and pedestrians."

The initiative is important to the GTSC and participating police departments like the Ramapo Police Department, as speed continues to be a predominant factor in traffic crashes throughout New York State. In 2022, nearly one-third (31%) of all fatal crashes in New York were caused by speeding, resulting in 359 tragic losses of life and 2,054 serious injuries. These collisions were entirely preventable.

Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder but all people on the road around them. Proactive, equitable law enforcement, like the annual speed awareness campaign, is utilized as a primary weapon in curbing this deadly behavior.