MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Chief Todd Fitzgerald reports the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department has appointed its first traffic sergeant to support efforts to reduce speeding in town.
Sgt. Christopher Locke, a 14-year veteran of the department, has been designated as the department’s new traffic sergeant.
As traffic sergeant, he will be responsible for addressing all speeding and traffic complaints, traffic counts, conducting additional enforcement throughout the town and managing the department’s new speeding trailer, a mobile electronic sign that uses radar to determine a driver’s speed, display that speed and, if needed, remind drivers to slow down.
Over the past 18 months, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department has received numerous reports of motor vehicles speeding on major roads in the community, including the downtown area.
Chief Fitzgerald would like to remind residents to utilize the “Report a traffic problem” page on the Manchester-by-the-Sea website. Residents are also encouraged to call the dispatch center for issues that need immediate attention; however, using the website will help shift supervisors and officers to target specific areas where traffic violations occur.
“We take speeding violations seriously and look forward to having Sgt. Locke target this concern to ensure our roadways are safe for all drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians who may live, work in or visit our town,” Chief Fitzgerald said. “Especially with the summer season upon us, its crucial that everyone heeds the speed limits and obeys traffic laws to keep themselves and others safe.”
The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department would also like to share the following tips on driving safety:
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
- While driving, ensure that your view is not obstructed. If you are turning at an intersection, and your view of oncoming traffic is partially obstructed, wait until you can see around the obstruction, scan for all roadway users (pedestrians and motorcyclists included), and proceed with caution.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the cross-walk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
- Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
- Be extra cautious when backing up—pedestrians can move into your path.
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