Too fast and too furious causes injuries. Drivers entering the SUNY Old Westbury campus topping out at substantially higher speeds above the posted limit of thirty-miles an hour are being logged into a database, even though no tickets have been issued yet. “We share our roads with faculty and staff that are using the roads to walk or jog or exercise. Some of our neighbors use it as a jogging course,” said the Chief of University Police Steven P. Siena. Students and faculty “should arrive early,” to avoid running behind schedule, which is another cause of speeding on campus, the chief added.
The radar speed sign named Safe Pace 450 just at the top of the hill, can clock drivers from up to 1000 feet and log the speed of that vehicle. The Safe Pace 450, is designed to deter speeders and free-up man-power for the University Police. The sign can operate for up to two weeks autonomously. Sunlight provides an eco-friendly source of power making battery power optional, according to manufacture TRAFFIC LOGIX.
The Safe Pace 450 radar speed detector.
The sign has features that are visible to drivers who exceed the speed limit, such as an integrated flashing violator strobe light that flashes along with the detected speed displayed in fifteen inch digits. A high-ranking official at the college noted that drivers might believe the radar sign to be inactive due to no posted numerical speed. However, the radar sign is operational, registering the vehicle’s speed under stealth mode.
“It’s very imperative that students and staff abide by the speed limit even if one is late or impatient. Driving a vehicle recklessly due to emotions is not more valuable than life,” said alumnus and former safety Aide Keisha Jones.
“If you’re driving 50-55-60 miles an hour, it’s going to be very difficult and challenging to maintain the roadway in that vehicle. So understand that you are not alone in the roads…slow down,” Chief Siena said.
High-ranking officials said that this tool would encourage everybody to be mindful of their speed. A freedom of information law document showed that motor vehicle accidents have decreased over the past five years on campus. This year there have been only eight accidents. In 2015, there were thirty six.
Chief Siena said he is not “worried about generating revenue, only keeping the campus safe. My biggest fear for the student is that they are going to cause harm to themselves or someone-else.” Driving at lower speed increases reaction time and maneuverability. “If everybody drove thirty-miles per hour, I would be a happy camper.” Chief Siena said.
