Possible First-Year Solutions:
Reminders to Slow Down
In most cases, speeding is a habit, not from deliberate decision to break the law. Reminders to slow down - such as lawn signs alerting drivers to check their speeds - can help change driving behaviors. You can request lawn signs (two per address) with "slow down" messages.
Trim brush
Neighbors or County crews can trim and remove brush to improve sight distance and access to sidewalks and paths for pedestrians. Request service.
Neighborhood Speed Watch/Dear Motorist Program
This program allows your neighborhood to check out a hand-held radar unit to record vehicle speeds.
If you observe a vehicle speeding or violating other traffic laws, the vehicle owner can be sent a letter from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) through their Dear Motorist Program. The letter outlines the violation and reminds the driver to be responsible on the road.
If you witness a violation, gather this information:
- Vehicle’s license plate number (mandatory)
- Vehicle description
- Date/time
- Location of the occurrence
- Witnessed violation
- Driver description
Contact WCSO’s Records Office at 503-846-2700 to provide the information and request a Dear Motorist letter.
Speed Radar Trailer
A portable speed trailer with a radar unit can detect speeds of passing vehicles, displaying those speeds on a digital reader board. Showing drivers their actual speeds. compared to posted speeds, encourages them to slow down.
Pavement Markings
Painting of legend, symbols and lines on roads, including lane lines, edge lines, and school crossings, help remind drivers to slow down.
Neighborhood Newsletter
Creating a personalized newsletter mailed to your community can inform people about traffic volumes, speeds, recommended traffic-calming measures, traffic laws, pedestrian safety and more.
Target Enforcement
More patrols by the Washington County Sheriff's Office can significantly reduce speeding and other unsafe driver behavior. Call 503-846-3998, ext. 1145 and leave a message requesting additional enforcement or submit an online request.