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NORWALK, Conn. If you know someone with a lead foot, warn them to lighten it Tuesday and Wednesday because Norwalk police will be conducting special enforcement of speeding and other motor vehicle laws.
The initiative will be conducted from 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Officers will be dedicated to enforcing laws such as cellphone use texting, and distracted driving violations as well as speeding. Fines for traveling unreasonably fast will range from $132 to $196. Fines for using electronic devices and distracted driving could range from $125 to $400.
"People who are driving too fast and using electronic devices while operating motor vehicles are contributing significantly to motor vehicle accidents," Mayor Richard Moccia said in a statement. "Drivers need to slow down and pay attention to their driving."
Police Chief Harry Rilling said although the recent death of a New Canaan Avenue pedestrian "weighs heavily on us," it was not the motivation for the special enforcement.
"It doesn't really have anything to do with the accident," he said. "Obviously that's on our minds. We don't know still what happened yet. It's still under investigation."
Special enforcement of traffic laws happens every year and occurred under previous Mayor Alex Knopp.
"We usually do it when school lets out, but now the weather has been warmer than normal," Rilling said. "We're noticing lots of people out and about bicycling and jogging and walking. A lot of motorcycles are out. We've got our motorcycle unit up and running and so we thought well, we'll have a large selective enforcement now. We'll probably do it again one or two times during the summer."
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