Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers and Captain David Martin from the Springfield Police Department (SPD) Traffic Unit for an announcement on speeding enforcement on Tuesday afternoon at SPD headquarters. SPD has already begun warning motorist of the enhanced enforcement with public message boards currently up on multiple streets.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to commend Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, Captain David Martin, and all of our brave and dedicated men and women in Blue for their efforts in keeping our streets safe for our residents. SPD will continue to use a combination of traffic enforcement initiatives and will enhance patrols. Please, if you are speeding or violating the rules of the road, expect our SPD to enforce the laws.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “The goal here is compliance. This continued traffic enforcement follows tragic speeding and reckless driving incidents where lives were lost. We must all do our part to be safe and aware as we drive on the streets. Our brave and dedicated police officers will continue their efforts across the city to encourage motorist to slow down and to not drive distracted. We also need support from our residents and families, and from our Courts. This is not the first time we have heightened our enforcement and it is not the first time we have pleaded with our courts to hold these reckless and distracted drivers responsible. Additionally, we need parents to step up and help educate their children and help keep them safe. I plead with our residents and families, please talk to your children, if not for our community’s safety, then for their safety and good health. Simply put, this is about public safety and saving lives, including the perpetrators.”
Superintendent Akers stated, “We do not want to play the blame game, we simply do not want to see any more citizens losing their lives due to senseless/reckless driving. We have seen most recent accidents involve a single car, a single driver, indicating that speeding and distracted driving are serious problems out on the roads. Drivers need to slow down and pay attention and SPD will be out to make sure they do. As Captain Martin stated, we use enforcement as an opportunity to educate drivers and ensure compliance with rules that are there to keep us safe. We want drivers to pay attention, slow down and put their phones away. We want drivers and pedestrians to get home safely. We want to alert all drivers of police presence ahead so that they slow down and we do not have to issue a citation or investigate another fatal crash. As it gets dark earlier, we urge pedestrians and bicyclists to follow the rules of the road and be bright and visible. When you cross the street don’t assume a driver sees you or will slow down, because far too often they don’t. Our ultimate goal is public safety for everyone on the road.”
