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Appearing in today's Sentinel (2/16/04)
By RAMONA TURNER
Sentinel staff writer
Motorists may have noticed an increase in the number of California Highway Patrol officers on Highways 1 and 17.
The rise is the result of a new, mid-day work shift at the California Highway Patrol office in Aptos — and it’s paying off in terms of safety.
"The shift was created because we found that from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., that’s when most of the collisions occur," said Officer Jason Butler, CHP spokesman. "We’re just trying to get the units out there when they’re needed the most."
The new shift was created last month and is staffed by eight officers who volunteered to give up their other shifts. The CHP’s other shifts have not been negatively impacted by the new one, Butler said, noting that the change allows ample coverage on all shifts.
But having officers on the road during the mid-day hours means the CHP is handing out more tickets, while also preventing more injury collisions.
Butler reports his office made 1,600 more enforcement contacts around the county last month — with 4,714 contacts in January 2004, up 65 percent compared to 3,093 contacts during the same period last year. Meanwhile, injury collisions dropped 64 percent from 61 in January 2003 to 39 last month.
Officers have been stopping motorists who are speeding down Highway 1’s six-lane portion between Aptos and Watsonville at speeds in excess of 80 and 100 mph, Butler said. On Highway 17, they’re catching drivers tearing through straight portions of Highway 17 right before a blind curve at 75 mph or more, he said.
"It’s important to remember that if you’re stopped by the CHP for one of these violations, your life may very well have just been saved," he said, noting that officers are not only stopping motorists for speeding and making unsafe lane changes, but also for not wearing their seat belts.
By RAMONA TURNER
Sentinel staff writer
Motorists may have noticed an increase in the number of California Highway Patrol officers on Highways 1 and 17.
The rise is the result of a new, mid-day work shift at the California Highway Patrol office in Aptos — and it’s paying off in terms of safety.
"The shift was created because we found that from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., that’s when most of the collisions occur," said Officer Jason Butler, CHP spokesman. "We’re just trying to get the units out there when they’re needed the most."
The new shift was created last month and is staffed by eight officers who volunteered to give up their other shifts. The CHP’s other shifts have not been negatively impacted by the new one, Butler said, noting that the change allows ample coverage on all shifts.
But having officers on the road during the mid-day hours means the CHP is handing out more tickets, while also preventing more injury collisions.
Butler reports his office made 1,600 more enforcement contacts around the county last month — with 4,714 contacts in January 2004, up 65 percent compared to 3,093 contacts during the same period last year. Meanwhile, injury collisions dropped 64 percent from 61 in January 2003 to 39 last month.
Officers have been stopping motorists who are speeding down Highway 1’s six-lane portion between Aptos and Watsonville at speeds in excess of 80 and 100 mph, Butler said. On Highway 17, they’re catching drivers tearing through straight portions of Highway 17 right before a blind curve at 75 mph or more, he said.
"It’s important to remember that if you’re stopped by the CHP for one of these violations, your life may very well have just been saved," he said, noting that officers are not only stopping motorists for speeding and making unsafe lane changes, but also for not wearing their seat belts.