By Casey Curtis
Leader Staff Writer
Instead of putting their pedal to the metal, those driving through Oxford Village may be braking a lot more than they’re used to.
That’s because the police department has obtained a new device to help monitor traffic speeds ? a white trailer with a digital readout screen that indicates the speed at which vehicles are traveling and flashes when those speeds are too high.
‘It’s a good tool to help people slow down and be aware of the situation,? said Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski.
Neymanowski said the speed-detecting trailer is on loan from Decatur Electronics, an Illinois-based company specializing in radar equipment. The trailer will be making its way around village streets over the next two weeks.
As the Oxford area grows, speeders and cut-through traffic have become a prominent concern on many village streets. Radar trailers such as these are designed to slow drivers down by reminding them of the posted speed limit and showing exactly how fast they’re actually traveling.
The chief said there’s a module inside that gathers information such as the number of cars that pass by during a given time period. Police will be able to transfer this data from the trailer’s module to the department’s computer system.
The speed trailer may seem like it captures everything, but don’t worry about looking your best as while passing by. ‘A lot of people think it’s taking their picture ? it doesn’t,? Neymanowski said.
Speed trailers can cost up to $13,000. Neymanowski said the model on loan from Decatur is valued at $7,700.
Neymanowski said positive feedback from the community and approval from the village council will be the next step in purchasing a trailer for the department.