Bay Bridge Patrols Double After Spike In Speeding
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The California Highway Patrol is doubling the number of patrols on the Bay Bridge following a spike in speeding after hours.
After a number of serious speeding incidents on the bridge's s-curve, including the 2009 death of a truck driver who went over the side, an awareness campaign and series of abatement measures such as rumble strips and flashing lights, drivers slowed down.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth:
But CHP Officer Herman Quon said motorists seem to have become complacent once again.
"People have gotten used to the roadway here, and they're less inclined to think about their speed," he said.
"So we want to be proactive and let people know that we are still out here and the speed limit is still 50 miles-per-hour on the Bay Bridge and on the s-curve it's 40 miles-per-hour, and 35 is recommended for trucks."
As part of the reminder, the CHP has decided to double the number of patrols during a twelve hour stretch, beginning at nine o'clock at night.
That's the time when most drivers have been clocked going substantially faster than the speed limit.
"During that timeframe when traffic is typically lighter on the bridge, that's when you'll see a stepped up presence with officers," said Quon.
The double enforcement will last three weeks. After that time, data from the sensors will be re-checked to see if more stepped up patrolling is needed.
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