Operation Road Runner targets speeding, aggressive and distracted driving
The Carmel Police Department has launched a monthlong traffic enforcement initiative aimed at reducing speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving following a September in which officers responded to 28 motor vehicle crashes, nine of which resulted in injuries.
Dubbed “Operation Road Runner,” the initiative will run throughout October, with police stepping up enforcement on major thoroughfares and neighborhood streets across the town.
According to Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann, 16 of the 28 crashes reported in September — more than half — involved speeding, aggressive driving or distracted driving.
Police said 10 crashes involved following too closely, unsafe passing or improper lane use, while seven involved distracted drivers, including three in which motorists were using handheld cellphones. Unsafe speed was a factor in five crashes.
Some crashes involved more than one contributing factor, police noted.
Nine people were injured in eight of the crashes, according to department statistics.
The data also showed that 24 of the 28 crashes occurred during daylight hours, and Route 6 accounted for nine crashes, nearly one-third of the month's total.
Hoffmann said the enforcement campaign is intended to address driving behaviors that frequently contribute to accidents, rather than simply increase the number of traffic tickets issued.
Under Operation Road Runner, officers will concentrate on motorists exceeding posted speed limits, following other vehicles too closely, making unsafe passes or improper lane changes, and using cellphones or engaging in other distractions while driving.
Police said motorists should expect an increased enforcement presence throughout the town during October, including on residential streets where speeding and other traffic violations have been a concern.
The department emphasized that many crashes are preventable and that the initiative's primary objective is to change driving behavior and reduce the likelihood of injuries.
“Our goal isn’t to write tickets. Our goal is to make sure everyone gets home safely,” the department said in announcing the initiative.
Police are also encouraging residents to report recurring traffic problems in their neighborhoods so officers can identify areas that may require additional attention.
Residents wishing to report an ongoing traffic safety concern can contact the Carmel Police Department at 845-628-1300.
Article provided by Carmel Police Department
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