County Thinks Humor Might Slow Down Drivers

1010 WINS, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ ^ | Oct 16, 2003 6:17 pm US/Eastern | 1010Wins

[Calpernia]

The familiar black and white speed limit signs in some rural parts of Burlington County aren't getting drivers to slow down.

They're also not getting any laughs, but officials believe new signs going up on a few roads should do both.

The brightly colored signs are scheduled to go up next week along county roads in Shamong and Medford Lakes.

The signs include messages like "Free Speeding Tickets Ahead" and "Meet Our Judge -- Exceed 25 mph."

Vincent Farias, a Burlington County freeholder, saw similar signs in Long Beach Township and thought they might work in Burlington County too.

"Most people speed by accident," Farias told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Thursday's editions. "The signs are designed to attract attention by employing humor to make people more aware of speed limits."

The signs are destined for places where speeding is a persistent problem. If they reduce speeding, they might be put up elsewhere in the county, Farias said.

[Calpernia]

NJ Officials at the most brilliant. /sarc

[Calpernia]

This should make your head hurt. Ping.

[ravingnutter]

We have a similar sign down by the local lake - Slow Down, See Our Dam...Speed Up, See Our Dam Judge.

[Ole Okie]

"The signs are designed to attract attention by employing humor to make people more aware of speed limits."

Dang! Real thigh-slappers!

Someone should hire their writers.

And ship them far, far away.

[SengirV]

I don't think it's bad of an idea. If they cost 10 times the normal signs, then it's not a good idea. But it sends the signal that the municipality is actually thinking about giving you a ticket vs throwing up the normal sign and doing nothing.

Of course nothing beats an entire week of high police presence, followed by regular police presence where they pull over people right off the shoulder of the road in question and make them sit there for 1/2 hour with lights a blazing.

[Constitution Day]

Well hardee-freakin-har har.

[Overtaxed]

It wasn't even that funny.

[Constitution Day]

No kidding. If you could see me, you'd see my eyes ROLLING right about now. >:-(

[Overtaxed]

Those signs would make good targets, though.

[showme_the_Glory]

I like the one at PIR. Speed Limit 195 MPH.

[general_re]

"Free Speeding Tickets Ahead"

Does that mean I don't have to pay the fine if I get a ticket in the new "Free Speeding Tickets" zone?

[Constitution Day]

Heh heh.

[Calpernia]

[Overtaxed]

Now that's just scarey! :)

[I still care]

What makes me more careful are the roadside memorials that people put up to note where their loved ones died.

And here in FL, they are passing a law to take those down-they say they distract attention on the road. I think that is so idiotic.

People on the road need a little reminder of mortality.

[Calpernia]

Excellent point! Irony of people 'in charge'

[Agnes Heep]

Of course nothing beats an entire week of high police presence, followed by regular police presence where they pull over people right off the shoulder of the road in question and make them sit there for 1/2 hour with lights a blazing.

Amen. Once you've established a reputation for enforcing the law, others stand up and take notice.

[XRdsRev]

A good Police presence is the best way to fight speeding but unfortunately, Police are very very expensive, especially for large rural townships like Shamong.

Burlington County probably has 250+ miles of roadway within it's borders, there is no way your getting police to patrol all that. Some of the rural Pine villages don't even have their own Police.