To the editor:

I have been a professional driver for over 40 years, operating in 45 states. Only one thing gets drivers to slow down, strict consistent enforcement.

Unless it costs them money, drivers simply do not slow down. Educational programs are useless. Drivers are well aware of the law. Flashing signs displaying a car’s speed and posting an officer and a patrol car only slow speeds for a quarter mile at best.

Yet where a community or state is known to enforce speed limits regularly, drivers adjust their speed the instant they enter that area. Pawtucket used to strictly monitor and enforce speeds on Prospect Street. When they did, no one sped. Since that ceased, drivers are to driving 15 and 20 miles per hour hover the limit. I have seen the same all over the country.

Drivers will complain loudly and try to excuse their dangerous behavior in every imaginable way, but they will slow down after they had to pay. It is outrageous that they do not even feel compelled to slow down in school zones during school hours.

It is very simple. Write citations or live with speeders. And do not let judges dismiss or reduce the fines. I once witnessed a judge let off a driver who had been clocked at 65 in a 25 mph zone. That is not a minor lapse in judgement, but complete reckless disregard for everyone’s safety.

Chris Manley
Rehoboth