Police take a solar-powered approach to stop speeding

by Noell Wolfgram Evans

The Independence police department has taken a new approach to traffic control: solar-powered speed signs along Chestnut, Hillside and Brookside roads. The signs were strategically placed in those areas, although it’s not a permanent addition. 

“The speed signs are able to be moved; they are currently located at areas with high residential traffic and traffic from outside the city,” said Independence Police Chief Robert Butler.

The signs, which are ultimately intended to promote safer driving habits, are positioned to monitor traffic patterns and alert drivers to their current speed.

“Officers can only be in so many places; these speed signs act as an additional resource to slow down vehicles,” said Butler. “Officers will still run speed details in these areas; however, they are unable to do so 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Having a device placed in that area allows for a safety reminder for drivers that has been known to slow down offenders and calm speeders.”

The city had a single sign that was previously placed as needed. With the recent addition of three new signs, the hope is that they will increase driver awareness and capture details that can be used to develop further safety measures, according to Butler. 

At times, the signs may appear to be inactive. Those are scheduled recharging periods and while they may be dark, they are still collecting “critical information” that will be used as a baseline for those future traffic strategies.

“These new devices are top of the line and allow us to write a message, further alerting a driver of their vehicle speed. The analytic gathering by our new signs is far better and clearer than our previous sign,” Butler said. So far, the signs seem to be doing their job. Butler said, “Whenever a speed sign is placed in an area, we usually get a positive resident response and see a reduction in speed offenses for a period of time.”

Photo caption: The solar-powered speed signs can be moved to any high-traffic area in the city at the police department’s discretion. Photo submitted.