The Alexander City Outlook

Speeding leads traffic offenses

Drivers in Alexander City need to slow down, according to the Alexander City Police Department.

ACPD Capt. Willie Kennedy said the majority of traffic offenses involve speeding and the majority of those offenses occur on U.S. Highway 280 where the speed limit decreases to 45 miles per hour.

“The speed decreases on the highway as you get close to the city limits because the speed limits are designed to help you slow down as you reach an intersection,” Kennedy said. “That’s where it gets more congested and you need to slow down.”

There are certain surface streets in town where speeding is also more prevalent. Some common problem areas include Jefferson Street and Washington Street.

“(Drivers) stretch it out there on the four lane sections,” Kennedy said. “The speed limit is 45 coming into town from the west end and people ignore that.”

Kennedy said that while every officer on the force can write tickets, the department has two K-9 officers assigned exclusively to traffic enforcement.

“The traffic officer’s primary job is to enforce traffic laws and slow people down,” Kennedy said.

A speeding stop can lead to a whole host of violations, according to Kennedy, but there are ways that a driver can avoid additional violations.

State law requires all drivers to carry proof of liability insurance in their car at all times. Kennedy said officers will ask for proof of insurance, and failure to provide proof could lead to a citation.

Drivers should also be in possession of their driver’s license, according to Kennedy, but police can run information without a license, if given the proper information.

“If you know your social security number we can run a license through the system,” Kennedy said.

Drivers may also need to present their vehicle’s registration information at the time of a stop, but the insurance card can serve the same purpose now.

“If you have proof of insurance, that can be used to describe your car,” Kennedy said. “You can get a citation from expired registration.”

Kennedy said the common belief that traffic officers have a monthly quota for tickets is a myth.

“It is a myth that there is a quota,” Kennedy said. “Officers just aggressively enforce the traffic laws. We are trying to correct driving behavior, not raise money for the department.”