Newport city officials are considering new traffic safety measures in response to residents’ concerns about speeding in various neighborhoods.
City Manager Kennedy presented several options to the City Council on July 24, including the installation of speed display signs and increased enforcement efforts.
The proposed measures come after Councilor David Carlin III introduced a resolution on June 12 calling for action to address traffic safety issues, particularly in the city’s third ward.
Kennedy outlined three main approaches: directed enforcement strategies, data capture and transparency, and the acquisition of new traffic technologies.
The most significant proposal involves purchasing pole-mounted speed display signs, which show drivers their current speed. These signs would cost between $5,000 and $9,000 each, depending on features.
Kennedy presented three spending options to the council: $10,000 for two basic signs, $20,000 for two basic signs and one advanced sign, or $40,000 for a more comprehensive package including mobile units.
Police Chief Duffy noted that the department has already taken steps to address traffic concerns, including assigning an additional investigator to the traffic unit.
“We did make some staffing allocation, reallocation to staffing in order to reassign an additional investigator to our traffic unit so that there’s full-time, another full-time person that’s concentrating on these types of issues,” Duffy said.
Councilor Angela Lima requested more details on how the proposed spending would impact the council’s $100,000 contingency fund.
The council did not take immediate action on the proposals but is expected to revisit the issue at a future meeting.
Watch the discussion below;
I don’t think the speed signs will do much good. The Newport bridge has one and people zip on by. I’ve had people tail-gate me on streets in Middletown that have them trying to make me go over the posted limit. Seems like a waste of money.