County drops hammer on speeders

From staff reports
Published: May 21, 2008

The Albemarle County Police Department issued 142 tickets to 126 drivers during a six-hour crackdown on speeding Monday.

Of the 142 summonses, 120 were for speeding, one for reckless driving, three for seat-belt violations, two for inspection violations, two for registration violations and one to a driver driving with a suspended license.

The highest speed documented was 80 mph in a 55 mph zone. Speed continues to be a problem on the highways, Albemarle police Sgt. Peter Mainzer said. Last year, 18 people were killed in 16 crashes in the county.The last speed enforcement effort was in March and resulted in 104 tickets, 79 of which were for speeding, to 92 drivers. Although the number of summonses increased, Mainzer attributed the increase to more officers participating this time. Nine officers and two supervisors participated in Monday’s operation, whereas six officers and two supervisors conducted March’s.

Mainzer also said he is pleased that only three seat-belt tickets were issued, attributing the low number to the national Click It or Ticket campaign.

“I wish we didn’t have to write as many tickets,” Mainzer said. “But I am happy that we issued only three seat-belt tickets. Some of the media attention around the seat-belt campaign is working.”

Mainzer reminded drivers that extra officers will be patrolling highways beginning this weekend through Memorial Day.