Chief: 'Grace Period' ends for Baldwin school zone speeders

BALDWIN – Drivers who speed through the Baldwin Elementary school zone on Willingham Avenue should expect a ticket by mail.

Interim Police Chief Matt Nall said his department has given ample opportunity for drivers to become accustomed to the flashing lights and electronic speed detection cameras, including months of mailed warnings.

“Our first citations will be issued Feb. 16,” Nall said. “Feb. 16 and beyond, it will be citations for speeding in the school zone. We feel like everybody has had plenty of warning – you got almost nine months, almost a full school year of warnings.”

Blue Line Solutions installed the speed detection camera system.

Using laser speed detection rather than radar, the pole-mounted camera system records the speed of each vehicle that passes through its beams.

After Blue Line officials match the tag with the vehicle and approve it, the violation then is sent to Baldwin Police Department for review by its officers. Provided there is no smudge or anything

“It goes through two approval processes before it actually comes to you,” Nall said.

Motorists who receive a citation in the mail and have a concern it was not their vehicle can call the telephone number on that ticket to discuss the matter with Blue Line officials.

“This is a civil action,” Nall said. “It actually does not go on your insurance and does not go on your driving record. It goes to the individual who owns the vehicle. If you don’t pay it, they will put a lien on your tag where you cannot renew your registration until you have the matter resolved.”

Nall said city leaders asked the police department to pursue the speed detection cameras out of concern for children on the playground at Baldwin Elementary School, located between 10 and 15 feet off Willingham Avenue.

“That chain-link fence isn’t going to hold anything back from that school,” Nall said. “Matter of fact, on my way here I saw a kid sitting up against the chain-link fence. If a car comes and hits that fence, that child is not safe. We’re trying to keep them safe.”

Nall said the warning process already is making the busy highway safer.

“There has been a dramatic decrease in accidents on Willingham since we started this,” Nall said. “It has been very, very, very effective.”

Baldwin Interim Police Chief Matt Nall checks the function of the flashing school zone lights on Willingham Avenue near Airport Road.

Baldwin Interim Police Chief Matt Nall wants drivers to know the warning period is over for speeders in the Baldwin Elementary school zone, which is active whenever the lights are flashing.

A school bus unloads on the hillcrest beside Baldwin Elementary School. At left is the fence bordering the school's playground, which is located just more than 10 feet off the busy road.

Digital signs alert motorists of their speed before the enter the school zone on Willingham Avenue in Baldwin.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/2/980314/chief-grace-period-ends-for-baldwin-school-zone-speeders