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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Bryan Lentz |
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Lentz, Vereb legislation would put the brakes on local speeding
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – State Reps. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, and Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery, have introduced legislation that would allow local police to use radar equipment to catch speeding vehicles and increase traffic safety in Pennsylvania.
In every state except Pennsylvania, municipal police officers are authorized to use radar to enforce speed limits. Currently, only Pennsylvania State Police officers are authorized to use radar to verify a driver’s speed, one of the most effective and accurate speed-control devices available.
“Putting radar equipment in the hands of local police would increase safety on our streets and reduce fatalities,” Lentz said. “Consistent enforcement of the speed limit would deter habitual speeding and send a clear message that reckless driving is dangerous and not tolerated. “
"The time has come to put Pennsylvania on par with other states’ speed enforcement," Vereb said. "This legislation would give local law enforcement the same tool the state police have used for decades successfully. It only makes sense to also make this tool available to full-time municipal police personnel."
“In the past, the concern was that this equipment would be used as a money-maker for municipalities,” Lentz added. “However, any revenue generated from speed enforcement citations that exceeds the actual costs would have to be remitted to the state police for traffic safety purposes.”
The Lentz/Vereb legislation would permit local police officers to use radar in certain circumstances and with reasonable restrictions. Radar use would be permitted only by full-time local officers who are employed by full-service police departments and who have undergone training that has been approved by both the Pennsylvania State Police and the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.
The local governing body would have to adopt an ordinance prior to local radar use in a municipality, and in those areas where local radar is approved, official warnings would be posted to notify motorists.
Lentz and Vereb said they hoped that the legislation would also help catch felons on the run. They cited a recent case where a Nevada man wanted in the videotaped sexual assault of a toddler was arrested during a routine traffic stop earlier this month.
According the Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association:
- In 2000, 12,626 people were killed in speeding-related crashes across the country.
- Of these 12,626, 582 were killed in Pennsylvania.
- 314 died on non-interstates with a posted speed limit less than 55 mph, but greater than 35 mph.
- Speeding is a factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes.
- In 2000, more than $1.11 million was spent in Pennsylvania associated with these crashes.
- In the United States, 75 percent of all roads are under the jurisdiction of local government.
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CONTACT: Ann Collis |