NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 1999

CARY PD TO TARGET
CRASH-PRONE AREAS

CARY, NC – The numbers are in, and starting this Tuesday, the Town of Cary Police Department’s Traffic Safety Team will begin a month-long, research-based enforcement initiative to reduce traffic crashes at key locations throughout town. Over the last few weeks, Cary PD conducted a statistical analysis to determine the ten intersections in Cary having the highest number of crashes. The Traffic Satey Team then looked at the Top 10 to determine which of the ten areas might be better affected by engineering changes—addition/deletion of signs, lights--and which ones might be better affected with increased patrols—those intersections with crashes that were attributed to enforcement issues such as speeding, following too closely, and running traffic lights.

The results of this analysis are the following six intersections which will comprise the program’s target areas:

• Maynard Road & East Chatham Street
• Maynard Road & Kildaire Farm Road
• Kildaire Farm Road & Cary Parkway
• Kildaire Farm Road & Tryon Road
• Walnut Street & Maynard Road
• US HWY 64 & Edinburgh drive.

While the dates and times of the increased enforcement will vary, the research indicates that most of the crashes occur on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The targeting program is a new part of the Traffic Safety Team’s regular duties and does not pull officers away from normal patrols.

Cary PD will run a new Top 10 crash analysis each quarter to assess the effectiveness of the program and target the next quarter’s efforts.

"Research is one tool we can use to help ensure public safety effectively and economically," said Cary Police Chief Windy Hunter. "We are fortunate to have the staff and resources to be able to use these sorts of techniques to help our citizens."

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