43
Boardman township and law-enforcement officials urge caution while driving
BOARDMAN
The township – which houses 40,000-plus residents, maintains nearly 150 miles of road and hosts thousands of visitors who travel to shop at some 3,300 businesses – often is locked in traffic gridlock this time of year.
Law-enforcement and township officials are warning motorists to follow safe driving practices as they navigate the busy roads, and urge people to remember what the season is all about.
“If the traffic in Boardman is bad, that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Boardman. If for some reason we came to the holiday shopping season, and there was nobody on [U.S. Route] 224, nobody getting off of [Interstate] 680, or [state Route] 11, or [I-] 76, we would have some serious problems as a community,” said township Administrator Jason Loree. “Traffic in Boardman represents economic activity, which is a good thing.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages motorists to use alternate routes if they wish to avoid congestion on main retail arteries such as Route 224.
“Take a side road if you can. It might be a little longer in mileage, but it might get you there faster and with less stress,” said OSHP Sgt. Brad Bucey.
Routes such as Maple Drive, Southern Boulevard, South Avenue and Mathews Road, for example, are main thoroughfares that still might involve less time spent stopped in traffic, as compared to 224.
Alternate routes should be limited to non-neighborhood roads, however, township officials said.
“Just stick to the main roads and be patient,” Loree said. “They’re built to handle the flows.”
Other tips from law-enforcement and township officials are:
Be a defensive driver.
Check out possible vehicle-maintenance issues – such as tire pressure – before hitting the road.
Pay attention and avoid distractions.
Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Be aware of pedestrians.
Designate a sober driver if you intend to drink alcoholic beverages.
The township police department also warns travelers not to prematurely enter an intersection.
“The law says that although you have a green light, you’re not allowed to enter the intersection unless you can clear it,” Police Chief Jack Nichols said. He said it’s an issue that’s responsible for much of the gridlock motorists experience.
Nichols also warned against leaving items such as purses, shopping bags and electronics in an unattended vehicle. Those items should be stored in the trunk, he said.
The township police department doesn’t have extra traffic enforcement this time of year, but OSHP troopers will be out in full force, Bucey said.
The Canfield post grants unlimited overtime hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. for officers to patrol during the holidays, he said. The main focus of that effort will be on impaired drivers.
Loree said he encourages motorists to find as much enjoyment as possible while driving through the township this season.
“What we usually tell everybody is, plan for the traffic. Don’t look at it as an annoyance,” he said. “Put on your holiday music. Have that hot chocolate with you in the car. You’re shopping for family and friends this time of year, and it should be fun.”