Campaign aims to get drivers to slow down
CRANBERRY TWP — Speeders be warned, the township is launching its annual Slow Down Campaign on Monday.
In the 19 participating neighborhoods, drivers will see yard signs and radar speed signs, and police will step up patrols to catch speedy drivers, said Duane McKee, assistant township manager.
The goal is to get drivers to slow down, remind them that the speed limit in residential areas is 25 mph and get them to think more about their driving habits. The campaign runs through June 10.
“We're not out there to ticket people,” McKee said. “We're out there to raise awareness.”
McKee said the township distributed 300 yard signs to participating neighborhoods this year. The yard signs have attention-catching slogans like “Drive like your kids live here” and “25 saves lives.”
They like for the signs to be moved around the neighborhood throughout the campaign to continue to keep people's attention, McKee said.
This is the seventh year for the program that the township adapted from the national Keep Kids Alive — Drive 25 campaign based in Kansas. It is run twice a year: when school lets out for the summer and when the school year begins again.
The Cranberry campaign is sponsored by the Cranberry Township Community Chest and RJ Community Development.
McKee said complaints about speeders go up this time of year with more daylight bringing people out of their houses and students getting out of school for the summer.
In addition to the yard signs, police enforcement is increased in participating neighborhoods.
Radar speed signs showing the drivers' speeds will be turned on Monday. The signs also collect data that organizers can use to see if the signs made any difference in cutting speeds.
McKee said they typically see a reduction of speeds between 1 to 5 mph. On a road posted with a 25 mph speed limit, 5 mph makes a huge difference, he said.
“We always see a success there with reduction of speeds,” McKee said. “But it's not really maintainable. People go back to their old ways. We just try to wake them up a few times a year.”
The campaign will run again in the fall when school begins again, starting Sept. 5 and concluding Sept. 19. Neighborhoods who missed out on joining in the spring campaign can contact McKee about getting in for the fall.
