Marshfield Police Department

Plain Talk

Police Plain Talk articles are points of interest and safety to the community. The weekly Plain Talk article will be posted right here along with the previous 3 articles. Come back weekly to view the newest article.

August 28, 2010
"Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest."

The Marshfield Police Department will be joining thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation during August and the Labor Day holiday to launch an aggressive crackdown on impaired drivers called: Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

Impaired driving is one of America’s most often committed and deadliest crimes. Each year thousands of people die in highway crashes involving a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Far too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs, and driving don’t mix.

Impaired driving causes accidents, which result in injury or death to innocent people! Stay safe…use a designated sober driver! Most importantly, do not drink and drive!

August 21, 2010
School Zones

Schools are open, and it is time to think safety! During this time of year, more students are walking or riding their bikes to and from school. Motorists must be aware that the law requires their speed be reduced to 15 miles per hour in “school zones” and during the time children or crossing guards are present. By reducing their speed and being alert, drivers allow themselves time to react to the unpredictable movement of children. Adults are responsible for making sound driving decisions, as children do not have the knowledge, experience, or ability to do so.

As you are about to enter a school zone, you are required to slow your vehicle and proceed with caution. Traffic must stop when a school crossing guard is holding up a stop sign, because these are legal stop signs. Each crossing guard has been instructed to obtain the license number of vehicles failing to stop. This information is relayed to the police department, and a traffic citation will be issued for failure to stop.

Parents/drivers are reminded to please drop off and pick your children up at the locations mandated by the individual schools. It is your responsibility to keep our children safe by being alert and making sound driving decisions.

Minimum fines start at $101.40 for speeding (1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit) in a school zone.

August 14, 2010
School Bus Safety

A stopped school bus with flashing red lights means a motorist must stop at least 20 feet from the bus, whether you are approaching from the rear or the front of the bus. In addition to the red lights, a stop sign may be extended from the bus, which means children are in the process of boarding or exiting. A motorist may proceed only when the bus driver begins driving or turns off the flashing red lights.

If you pass a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights, the bus driver will report you. You will be fined, and your driver’s license assessed demerit points if you are found guilty. Worse yet, you may hit a child. The safety of our children is of utmost importance. Give them a “brake”.