Tulsa school zones due extra police patrols
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Friday, January 04, 2013
1/04/13 at 7:34 AM
Police are warning people to obey traffic laws in school zones when classes go back in session after the winter break next week.
Tulsa police officers will conduct special enforcements in school zones looking for motorists who are speeding or driving recklessly, said Officer Leland Ashley.
And the penalties for people who are pulled over will be hefty, he said.
"School has been out a couple weeks, so we're trying to get people's awareness back to school zones," Ashley said. "The citation will be issued; there will be no warnings."
The special enforcement will start Monday morning and run all week.
A citation for speeding in a school zone requires the recipient to attend a court hearing, not just pay the fine.
The citation carries a penalty of a maximum $500 fine and 30 days in jail, police said.
The enforcement is organized by the Mingo Valley Division, which patrols the east side of Tulsa.
Ashley said that by publicizing the event and doing the enforcements, they hope people will slow down before they even get to the school zone.
"This is just another approach to get people to slow down," he said. We want "to make people aware that we are out there."
The Mingo Valley Division traffic unit also recently conducted special enforcements in construction zones and targeted motorists who ran red lights.
Each of the three divisions has its own traffic unit that focuses on enforcements and working crashes in the area.
Ashley said that although the Mingo Valley Division has publicized its enforcement efforts, other traffic units may be conducting their own enforcements.
Officers also will be looking for motorists who are distracted while driving through school zones, especially those who are distracted by electronic devices.
Original Print Headline: School zones due extra enforcement
Jerry Wofford 918-581-8310
jerry.wofford@tulsaworld.com
