A new high-tech gadget designed to help slow lead-footed drivers is being tested by the Oxford Village Police Department.
It’s called the SPEEDsentry Shield radar display sign and it measures the speed of each vehicle that comes within range, then displays it to the driver.
‘Sometimes drivers are unaware of their actual speeds. This kind of reminds them of how fast they’re going,? said Police Chief Mike Neymanowski. ‘Certainly it’s been proven that if people see how fast they’re going, it calms traffic ? makes them more aware.?
The sign also has the capability to collect data such as vehicle counts and how fast each motorist was travelling. Village police plan to gather before and after readings to judge the sign’s impact on calming traffic.
All Traffic Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based company, loaned the portable sign to the village for the purpose of testing its effectiveness on calming traffic. It will be here through July 29, but much like the drivers it tracks, it won’t be staying in one spot.
‘We can move it all around. What we do is attach it to existing speed limit signs around the community,? Neymanowski explained. ‘We’re going to be placing it around different areas in our community.?
The first spot it was placed was facing west on W. Burdick St., across from the Frosty Boy at the bottom of cemetery hill. This is an area where drivers are known to speed as they head east into the village.
Neymanowski’s made no secret of the fact that he wants the village to purchase one of these signs.
The only problem is it costs about $4,300.
Given the extremely tight financial situation these days, Neymanowski’s looking into obtaining some grant money to fund it.
‘I’m not going to go out and spend $4,300 of taxpayer money when my officers are on wage freezes and everything else,? he said. ‘There’s grants out there I’m sure I can pursue.?
The sign being tested by the village police is powered by a rechargeable battery, which Neymanowski said can last four to seven days.
He indicated there is a solar-powered version, but it costs about $1,500 more.