Release
for Week of May 12, 2008
SPEED LIMITS
Speed limits are based
on the design of the road, and the type of vehicles
that use them. Dodge County Highway Safety
Coordinator, Bob Sell states that they take into
account things you cannot see, such as side roads
and driveways where vehicles may suddenly pull out,
and the amount of traffic that uses the road.
Speed limits are
posted for ideal conditions. If the road is
wet or icy, if you cannot see well due to fog, rain
and snow or if traffic is heavy, you must slow down.
Sell added that even if you are driving under the
posted speed limit, you can get a ticket with costs
of $198.60 and 4 points assessed to your driving
record for driving too fast under these conditions.
More than 35% of all Wisconsin traffic
fatalities are “speed-related,” making speed second
only to alcohol as the most common factor in fatal
crashes. The following are the 2006 Dodge
County figures for 264 speed-related crashes:
5 fatalities, 103 injuries and 156 property damage
Currently Dodge County has recorded 8
traffic fatalities in 2008 compared to one last year
at this time.
RELEASE
FOR WEEK OF MAY 5, 2008
PARENTS, IT’S TIME FOR THE TALK
The danger comes
from the traditions of senior “skip day” and the
unofficial graduation parties which frequently
feature copious quantities of alcohol. Sell
added that the two party months of May and June
can be hazardous and deadly to teenagers who
drink and drive or are passengers in a vehicle
where the driver has been drinking alcohol.
Sell, cautions
parents that even though Wisconsin has tough
laws against operating while intoxicated and
underage consumption or possession of alcoholic
beverages, laws cannot prevent all such
tragedies from happening. “However, parents can
establish and enforce no-alcohol rules for
parties that are held in their homes or under
their control and impress upon their own
children the seriousness of the problem.” Sell
added, “If you have any doubts at all, it’s much
better to insist on driving your student to and
from the party than risk losing them in a
traffic crash.”
Sell stated that
Dodge County has recorded 6 traffic fatalities
to date, compared to one last year at this time.
He urges everyone to slow down, buckle-up and
don’t drink and drive.
Release for Week of
April 28, 2008
SCHOOL BUS
SAFETY AND THE LAW
“WHEN
YOU SEE A SCHOOL BUS, WATCH FOR KIDS.”
So says, Robert Sell, Dodge County Highway Safety
Coordinator. With less 40 actual school days left
before the school year ends, it’s time for a
reminder about safety and those familiar yellow
school buses shuttling students to and from their
schools.
Sell, cautions
motorists that Wisconsin’s school bus
law is designed to protect school children as they
cross the road to get on or off the bus. He added
that the operator of a motor vehicle must stop not
less than 20 feet from the front or rear of a school
bus, which has stopped and is displaying flashing
red warning lights. The motorist must remain
stopped until the bus resumes motion or the operator
turns off the flashing red warning lights.
Drivers convicted of
failure to stop for a school bus may forfeit $312.00
and have four demerit points assessed against their
driver’s record. The penalties can be much more
severe if bodily injury or death occurs.
Sell said that
children have a tendency to take for granted that
drivers see them and may not take the necessary
precautions when a vehicle approaches. He said
parents should take the time to teach their children
to walk facing traffic, as the law requires, so they
can step out of the way if danger threatens.
Sell, urges motorists
to watch for developing fog and drive with special
care on rural roads in early morning and afternoon
hours when school children are walking to and from
their school bus stops. Sell, added that the
investigation of school bus complaints has been and
will remain a priority with the Dodge County
Sheriff’s Department.
