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Home : News : News : Regional News
Regional News
Speeding worries Rhinebeck residents
By William J. Kemble, Correspondent
07/17/2008
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RHINEBECK - The Town Board is considering whether Morton Road should be declared a "no tolerance zone" for speeders and is seeking information on reducing the limit to 25 mph.

Concerns about traffic on the road were reviewed during a Town Board meeting on Monday, when officials said efforts would be made to have courts and police take less lenient positions with drivers that exceed the current 30-mph limit.

Councilman Bruce Washburn said residents of the road have complained that speeding in the morning is not being addressed.

"What (residents suggested) was that we somehow make a no-tolerance program where the judges (and) police agree that if you're speeding on Morton Road ... you're going to get the maximum penalty," Washburn said.

Supervisor Tom Traudt said an initial review by attorneys found the proposed system would not be legal.

"We would have to consider that people have the right to defend themself when charged with something, so we can't really suggest that we're going to go in agreement with the court to give everybody the max," Traudy said.

Town Attorney Pamela Richardson said town officials could not direct the courts to issue maximum fines but could find ways to support law-enforcement efforts through speed limit reductions and the installation of traffic-control devices.

"I don't think that the board can dictate to the court how to dispose," Richardson said, but "they may be able to (suggest) police issue more tickets and be more vigorous."

Former Councilman Paul Niedercorn said town officials long have ignored problems along Morton Road, which runs for about 1.5 miles between Mill Road and the hamlet of Rhinecliff.

"Part of the problem, I believe, is that we're not really serious about enforcing the law," he said.


©Daily Freeman 2010

Reader Comments
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Added: Thursday July 17, 2008 at 07:45 AM EST
Shift Patrols
Speeding on residential roads are a problem EVERYWHERE. Unfortunately, the police are 'forced' sit on rt 9, TSP, or the Thruway and shoot fish in a barrel, in order to get their 'numbers' up (and they can hit the out of towners up for a 'donation') I submit, where is the greater hazzard? 70 on the Taconic or 50 on Morton. I am so happy, when I see a city cop or state trooper sitting on Lafayette Ave, I give em a big wave. If only we can get them there during the night, take care of the rest of the speeders.

Other than adding more roaming patrols as a solution, I can't see why police can't limit their plea bargaining on residential speeders.
Joe Bubel, Kingston, NY

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