The Springfield Police began its heightened enforcement efforts on Parker Street on Saturday and that will continue until further notice. Springfield Officers also began overtime traffic details on Parker Street this week.
This is in response to two fatal crashes on Parker Street on Friday October 6th. Around 12:10 a.m. a single vehicle crash in the area of Parker and Cooley Streets resulted in the death of the driver. Then at approximately 6:00 p.m. a crash involving a car and motorcycle left the motorcycle rider in the hospital with serious injuries. The adult male rider succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The Springfield Police Traffic Unit is investigating both crashes.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood stated, “Parker Street has always been a problem area for speeding and in light of Friday’s two fatal crashes we will be increasing our traffic enforcement along that corridor. We hope that this increased presence will help shift driving behaviors. We need drivers to slow down and put down their phones to ensure that everyone gets home safely. I will also be tracking these citations in court because far too often our tickets are dismissed in court leading to emboldened drivers”.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and I want to remind motorists to slow down, be mindful of the road and don’t drive distracted. The Springfield Police Department will be increasing traffic enforcement along Parker Street to help keep everyone safe through a combination of efforts including the continued use of our check your speed trailer and active traffic details in hot spot areas. This continued traffic enforcement on Parker Street follows a ‘Check Your Speed’ standout that was organized by the East Springfield Neighborhood Council with the Springfield Traffic Bureau on Page Blvd. on Thursday, September 28th. There police officers and I joined with the East Springfield Neighborhood Council holding the ‘Check Your Speed’ signs to remind motorist to slow down and be mindful of the posted speed limit. Our brave and dedicated police officers will continue their efforts across the city to encourage motorist to slow down and to not drive distracted.”
The Springfield Police will document these citations along Parker Street and follow up by tracking the cases in court to ensure that the tickets imposed are being enforced.
