The Blue Ridge Police Department has a new set of “eyes” to help stop speeders and handle other traffic safety functions.
Police Chief Robbie Stuart talked about the portable speed detection device/traffic control message board soon after it was positioned on Church Street last week.
The boards red and blue LED lights warn drivers they are over the speed limit as they approach. Stuart said the range of the detection is up to 1,000 feet.
One by one, as cars and trucks came down the hill approaching Ewing Street, the lights would flash, huge numbers would read out their speed, and those over the limit would slow down.
Stuart said while the device was slowing down drivers, it was also recording data including keeping a traffic count, reporting if vehicles were five to ten miles per hour over the speed limit, or grossly over at 15 miles per hour or more.
This data will be studied to determine where increased enforcement is needed.
The device is also equipped with a built in camera.
It can be moved around and the message board used during festivals. Stuart said. Messages could warn of street closings, parking or no parking areas, for instance.
“This gives us another set of eyes to enforce speeding on city streets,” Stuart said.
The chief hopes to be able to buy another one of the units for the department sometime next year.