Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Summer Neighborhood Traffic Safety

The summer is upon us and people everywhere are getting outside. Along with the increase of pedestrian and people riding bicycles, traffic will increase, especially in residential neighborhoods. That’s why it is important for us to adhere to the speed limits while driving in residential neighborhoods.

Speeding in residential neighborhoods areas causes several basic types of harm. It makes the citizens fear for children’s safety, pedestrians and cyclist fear for their safety, increases the risk of vehicle crashes and the seriousness of injuries in a crash, and it increases noise from engine acceleration and tire friction.

Speed is a contributing factor in about one-eighth of all crashes and in about one-third of all fatal crashes. Speed-related vehicle collisions are more commonly called or referred to as “accidents” but speeding is no “accident.” As a driver you have the power to control your vehicle and the power to reduce the possibility of an “accident.”

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department utilizes many means to reduce speeding. We are involved in public education programs like the current “Click or Ticket” program. We initiate direct patrols to reduce speeding in trouble areas and we have developed grant funding to fulfill these operations. We also work in conjunction with city officials to increase fines, erect stop signs and install traffic lights were needed.

But all of this is not as effective as a driver simply choosing not to speed. We need your help to keep our cities neighborhoods safe and together we can.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.