Editorial: Slow down or pay the price

Posted 1/20/25

Shortly after they were first paved, the roads across Barrington were outfitted with signs clearly marking speed limits. And shortly after those signs were installed, motorists began speeding past …

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Editorial: Slow down or pay the price

Posted

Shortly after they were first paved, the roads across Barrington were outfitted with signs clearly marking speed limits. And shortly after those signs were installed, motorists began speeding past them.

Now, members of the Barrington Town Council are stepping up to slow drivers down. 

During a meeting on Monday night, Jan. 13, the council voted 5-0 to explore installing speed cameras near local schools. A handful of people spoke out against the speed cameras, but the council pushed forward after listening to a crossing guard posted outside Sowams School. She has stood helpless while vehicles blow past the elementary school traveling 10, 15 and 20 miles over the speed limit. 

While speed cameras should be kept on the table as a possible solution, so should other options, short of speed cameras, that the town has not deployed yet. In many communities, flashing yellow lights, which operate only when schools are in session, have been very effective at changing driver behavior. Consistent police presence during drop-off and pick-up times is always an effective deterrent as well.

Maybe speed cameras ultimately prove to be the town’s best solution, or perhaps they are too aggressive as a first option.

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Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.