The goal of the Benton Police Department’s initiative for August, “Below 100,” remains the same as July’s “Operation Traffic Safety 101” initiative, which is an effort to greatly reduce vehicle accidents. BNPD officers and staff will continue to educate the public via media outlets and social media about basic traffic laws and safe driving tips.
The number of traffic accidents on Benton roadways have been on the rise this year. Between January and June officers responded to a total of 792 vehicle accidents, a 30-percent increase from the same time frame in 2015 (607 traffic accidents). There were 155 traffic accidents in May alone, and 131 traffic accidents in June.
The dramatic increase prompted the “Operation Traffic Safety 101” initiative in July aimed at reducing traffic accidents. Since the launch of that initiative, traffic accidents has decreased by 27-percent (138 in July 2015 to 101 in July 2016).
“We thank everyone in the community for being more attentive during last month’s initiative,” Chief Kirk Lane said. “We encourage everyone to continue that attentiveness during August’s [Below 100] initiative and desire to drive safer, especially with children about to return to school. Our goal during this initiative is not to write more traffic tickets, rather we encourage everyone to comply with traffic laws so that the number of traffic accidents will drastically decrease.”
“With children soon to be returning to school, the school zones will be enforced more strictly,” he added.
During “Below 100” law enforcement officers will be cracking down on distracted driving, speeding, intoxicated driving, drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts, and other traffic violations. Officers will also be participating in safe driving campaigns, including Click-It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
The goal of “Below 100” is not to write more citations, but an effort to reduce traffic accidents. Though the ultimate goal is for zero accidents to occur, officers wish to at least keep the numbers below 100 accidents in August. The plan to make this possible is through an educational approach as well as increased enforcement.
To report suspicious driving and/or accidents, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.
Follow BNPD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benton-Police-Department/221829174560849