Slow down, you move too fast.
That’s the message from Hornell public safety officials and law enforcement who, unlike in the Simon and Garfunkel song, are not “feeling groovy” about the number of drivers who go too fast on a busy highway in the city.
Mayor John Buckley wants the police department to step up enforcement of the speed limit on state Route 36.
Buckley has reinforced the message at three straight monthly Board of Public Safety meetings, including the panel’s most recent session on June 12.
So far, the results have been mixed, according to the mayor.
“I see some of the officers have jumped up a little bit but still seeing some zeroes where I wouldn’t expect to see them,” Buckley said as the board reviewed and approved monthly reports from the Fire, Codes and Police departments.
City of Hornell public safety officials are looking to step up speed limit enforcement on state Route 36 in the Maple City.
“When the (Public Safety) commissioners and I see zeros, those numbers, or lack of numbers, it’s striking.
“I am not saying that each officer has to have a certain number, but when you go an entire month …”
Buckley did note that a school resource officer issued a pair of speeding tickets last month.
Mayor: Route 36 has 30 mph speed limit, but most go 40
The section of the Route 36 corridor within the city limits allows a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.
The busy stretch of roadway includes the Hornell Junior/Senior High School, where vehicles are frequently spotted speeding between State and Adsit streets and racing through red lights.
A traffic radar sign in the area flashes driver’s speed but has not effectively deterred motorists from going over the limit, officials said.
Buckley estimates most vehicles are regularly “hovering close” to 40 miles per hour or faster.
“I see people exceeding that all the time. Anyone who travels the corridor on a regular basis sees the same thing,” he said.
Northbound traffic on state Route 36 in the City of Hornell. A speed radar sign shows a vehicle traveling 39 miles per hour.
Route 36 is a magnet for crashes, according to officials, both within the city limits and as the corridor continues northward.
Keeping people safe, motorists and pedestrians, is driving the effort to slow down vehicles, Buckley said.
Police Chief Ted Murray said the renewed emphasis on deterring speeders has been communicated to department supervisors, who are getting the message out to patrol officers.
“The police department continues to closely monitor traffic, particularly speeders along Route 36,” Murray said in the City of Hornell’s summer newsletter. “Our officers are very active in patrolling and we have initiated several devices to assist residents to manage their speed.”
Buckley said public safety officials will continue to approach the challenge proactively.
“This remains an area of concern. We need to focus on it,” Buckley said.
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The corridor is due for a major upgrade through the Route 36 Hornell Gateway Corridor project.
The $55 million plan includes features to bolster traffic safety, better accommodate walkers and bicyclists and expedite the movement of goods and services along a key but outdated highway that was built in the 1970s.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell police stepping up enforcement of Route 36 speed limit