The Valley Chronicle - Hemet Police remind drivers to slow downn

[caption id="attachment_15811" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Photos by HPD
Hemet PD reminded drivers to drive the speed limit on Florida Avenue with the help of community service officers.[/caption] ■ Hemet Police Department / Contributed The Hemet Police Department Traffic Division conducted a special enforcement operation on Florida Avenue reminding drivers the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour on Jan 10. Last Thursday, community service officers dressed in bright green safety vests and standing on the sidewalk, waived and twirled a 35 mile per hour speed limit sign at passing drivers. The officers also wore bright pink hats embroidered with the words “Slow Down.” Drivers who chose not to obey the 35 MPH speed limit met one of three Hemet Police Motorcycle Officers stationed nearby. In total, 20 traffic citations were issued during the four hour special operation. [caption id="attachment_15813" align="alignleft" width="300"] The officers also wore bright pink hats embroidered with the words “Slow Down.” [/caption] The speed limit on Florida Avenue is set and posted by the State of California following an official traffic survey. The traffic survey is designed to determine the volume and/or nature of traffic utilizing a particular route and helps traffic engineers determine the safe speed for that roadway. Florida Avenue has been surveyed and posted at 35 miles per hour for several years. Many people honked, waived or gave a thumbs up upon seeing the traffic officers twirling the speed limit signs and it was clear the operation had made an impact. The main goal of the operation was to raise awareness about the speed limit on Florida Avenue and to remind drivers that driving the speed limit increases safety, preventing traffic collisions. The operation is part of an ongoing public safety campaign designed to educate drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, raise public awareness, and decrease traffic collisions in the City of Hemet. [caption id="attachment_15812" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Community service officers dressed in bright green safety vests and standing on the sidewalk, waived and twirled a 35 mile per hour speed limit sign at passing drivers. [/caption]