As reported in the Free Lance, we are glad to see that the
California Highway Patrol is cracking down on speeding in San
Benito County this month.
As reported in the Free Lance, we are glad to see that the California Highway Patrol is cracking down on speeding in San Benito County this month.
Anyone who travels our roads unfortunately knows the feeling of having a driver right on your tail while you are obeying the speed limit or watching someone go whizzing past you.
Breaking the speed limit not only endangers the driver, but also the passengers in that vehicle, other motorists and their passengers, and even pedestrians.
Now with the sudden burst of warmer weather, even more people are on the road and anxious to get to or return from their favorite activities.
But we have a few questions as well.
Why isn’t this a year-long campaign by CHP? San Benito County has state highways running throughout the county, from its borders to right through the middle of Hollister.
Speaking of Hollister, our second and biggest question is a familiar one.
When is the Hollister Police Department going to crack down on speeders within the city limits?
We hate to sound like a broken speed bump, but try crossing San Benito Street during the day. Or just casually observe how many vehicles are obviously exceeding the 25 mph or even 35 mph postings.
It’s not much better on Airline Highway or Nash Road, either.
There has been talk from Police Chief Jeff Miller on down the ranks about making it a priority, but we rarely see an HPD officer with a radar gun or writing citations.
The City Council should get involved and bring it up at its next meeting, since HPD continues to drag its feet.
School is still in session and kids are everywhere. The warmer weather also brings more shoppers and sightseers.
Let’s not wait for a tragic death for everyone to wake up to this obvious and dangerous behavior.
Start setting speed traps and start writing tickets before it’s too late.
We’re glad that CHP has brought it to the forefront for one month. But it’s not nearly enough on a local level.
Call Chief Miller at 638-4110 if you agree. Or call your City Council representative at the numbers listed on this page.
It could be someone you know and love who gets killed or hurt by a speeding driver.
