Campus Police increase focus on traffic safety and enforcement
Amanda Smith | Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: News
The checkpoints are primarily intended to raise awareness of traffic laws and safe driving responsibilities, such as remaining free from cell phone use and other distractions. During the on-campus checkpoints, UNCW Police officers will also be observing if motorists are in compliance with the traffic laws, such as wearing seatbelts and obeying speed limits, as they approach the checkpoint.
"If we see a major violation approach us at a checkpoint on campus, we will deal with that at the enforcement level that is appropriate just as we would during the off-campus checkpoints," Lt. Sanders said.
The off-campus checkpoints will primarily focus on compliance with state traffic laws, seat belt usage, and adherence to driving while impaired and other regulatory laws. According to Lt. Sanders, the UNCW Police Department hopes the off-campus checkpoints will get motorists approaching campus in compliance with the laws before they reach campus.
Some UNCW students are concerned that vehicle checkpoints may further congest the traffic situation on campus and make it more difficult to arrive to classes, appointments and other engagements on time.
"Stopping people in general, if done at random, I think is a bad idea. People may have somewhere important to be, and the last thing they want is to be stopped for not necessarily doing anything wrong," senior Gideon Brookins said.
According to the UNCW Police Department, the checkpoints will be conducted at optimal times and in a manner that will not impede the flow of traffic.
Despite some concern with checkpoints, many welcome any efforts focused on making interactions between motorist, bicyclists and pedestrians on campus safer.
"In my experience, some pedestrians crossing often think they're invincible, not even looking both ways or worrying about oncoming traffic," Brookins said. "Lots of people actually appear to slow down when they cross, or don't care that [a vehicle] just let them pass."
"If we see a major violation approach us at a checkpoint on campus, we will deal with that at the enforcement level that is appropriate just as we would during the off-campus checkpoints," Lt. Sanders said.
The off-campus checkpoints will primarily focus on compliance with state traffic laws, seat belt usage, and adherence to driving while impaired and other regulatory laws. According to Lt. Sanders, the UNCW Police Department hopes the off-campus checkpoints will get motorists approaching campus in compliance with the laws before they reach campus.
Some UNCW students are concerned that vehicle checkpoints may further congest the traffic situation on campus and make it more difficult to arrive to classes, appointments and other engagements on time.
"Stopping people in general, if done at random, I think is a bad idea. People may have somewhere important to be, and the last thing they want is to be stopped for not necessarily doing anything wrong," senior Gideon Brookins said.
According to the UNCW Police Department, the checkpoints will be conducted at optimal times and in a manner that will not impede the flow of traffic.
Despite some concern with checkpoints, many welcome any efforts focused on making interactions between motorist, bicyclists and pedestrians on campus safer.
"In my experience, some pedestrians crossing often think they're invincible, not even looking both ways or worrying about oncoming traffic," Brookins said. "Lots of people actually appear to slow down when they cross, or don't care that [a vehicle] just let them pass."
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