Traffic grants reduce fatal accidents in Boardman
Boardman Township police department received more than $37,000 in federal funding to help monitor traffic.
Staff report
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Township Police Chief Jack Nichols believes traffic grants the department received this year and the past three years have been instrumental in reducing the amount of traffic fatalities.
Friday, the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded the department $39,717 in federal traffic safety funding for fiscal 2014.
“This grant is a good thing because it allows officers to focus on traffic enforcement,” Nichols said.
The grant will allow the department to focus on high-visibility enforcement, and it supports the “Click it or Ticket” program as well as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
From 2009-11, crash data reports there were 126 alcohol-related crashes in Boardman that caused 83 injuries and three fatalities, according to the police department.
In addition to utilizing awareness programs and adding more traffic enforcement, the township departments have worked together to tackle any traffic or road problems that would cause accidents, Nichols said.
The McClurg Road and South Avenue intersection is one area in particular the township has looked at and discussed the placement of a traffic light. There is just a stop sign on McClurg at this time. Nichols said a light should be installed next year.
“We have been doing a team approach,” Nichols said.