Aspinwall Police Department's campaign to slow down speeding motorists in full force

Aspinwall police have launched a new initiative to encourage safe driving habits.

The Slow Down Campaign involves placing yard signs at strategic sites throughout the borough, particularly near bus stops, busy intersections and other high-traffic areas.

“We are looking to slow down vehicles for back to school,” Mayor Joe Noro said via email Aug. 19. “The police department continues to monitor and pull cars over that speed. Residents can request extra signs for their home and/or block that they live on.”

The signs are in the colors red, white, green and gold.

Messages include “Slow Down Save Lives” and “It’s a Road Not a Race.”

The first day of classes for Fox Chapel Area School District is Aug. 22.

The first signs were installed about a week in advance.

Police Chief Dave Nemec said the campaign is the culmination of multiple discussions with the mayor and other borough officials about raising awareness and mitigating potential accidents now that buses once again are rolling through the early and afternoon hours.

“There’s other communities that have different things with the start up of the school season,” Nemec said. “That’s always a big thing when school starts again. How can we start from the get-go (getting) people to slow down coming through the neighborhoods or by the schools or school areas?

“We thought these (signs) would be great. … The whole thing it comes down to is the kids. We want everybody to pay attention. (Motorists) could be going faster than what they think.”

Signs can be found along Center Avenue, 11th Street, Second Street and Eastern Avenue.

Speeding in the borough is not a new problem for Nemec and his department. Nor is the campaign its first efforts.

Rumble strips were installed along several roads last year to slow down aggressive drivers.

Speed machines that flash how fast a driver is traveling have been in use for quite some time as has the AccuTrak speed enforcement system, which uses painted lines on roadways and an officer-operated device similar to a stopwatch.

Officers have used this system on multiple roads throughout the borough.

People should expect an increase in traffic enforcement, Nemec said, noting a lot of the people who get pulled over are residents.

“We’re going to continue to monitor stop signs and speeding vehicles,” the chief said.

Any resident who wants a slow down sign can contact the borough office at 412-781-0213.

Sign sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses.