Small Town News

Electronic Speed Indicator Devices slow down traffic in Fruitvale

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The stretch of Hwy 80 through Fruitvale has always been a hazardous area for travelers, especially those who are unaware of the drastic drop in the speed limit close to the Fruitvale School Zone.

Many wrecks have occurred in that area and many people have been hurt. If you travel that way everyday, you are aware of when the speed limit drops from 70 to 55 to 45 (35 before and after school) close to the Fruitvale schools, but if you do not travel that way, you sometimes miss those speed limit changes.

Due to the sudden drops in speed limits and the negligence of drivers in being observant of the signs, many accidents occur.

Last week, after having written many speeding tickets to drivers driving in excess of 10 miles over the flashing 35 mph school zone speed limit, Precinct 1 Constable Mickey Hensqn asked TXDOT to let him set up two electronic speed indicator devices, one on each end of the school zone, so people would know just how fast they were going through that intersection.

The devices will only be set up for about two weeks, but it has already made a huge difference in the numbers of people speeding through that area.

The devices record the speed of oncoming traffic, showing drivers how fast they are going. The normal reaction of drivers upon seeing their speed next to the speed limit sign is to slow down and for the most part, that has been handling. Only two tickets have been given since the signs were put up by Constable Henson. Prior to that, he was writing 3-4 tickets every morning.

"I will continue to enforce the school zone limits every morning through there and I will be less lenient on those who are going faster than 35 mph," stated Henson. It is a dangerous spot and people need to be aware of the potential for accidents in that area.

Even though the speed indicator devices will be taken down soon, the Fruitvale School District and the city can petition for devices to be put up permanently, since they seem to have helped tremendously.

"...I will be less lenient on those who are going faster than 35 mph."

Constable Mickey Henson



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© 2009 Edgewood Enterprise Edgewood, New Mexico. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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