Dear Action Line,
The city of Durango recently announced the installation of speed control cameras at various locations. I would like to know just how strict this speed enforcement will be. For example, will a driver going 27 mph on Junction Street or 55 mph through Bodo be cited? I think the public would object to overly strict enforcement. What does the DPD have to say on this? Signed, Slow Speeder
Dear Slow Speeder,
Posted speed limits often feel like a suggestion. Drivers want to get to their destination in a quick manner, but going too fast is dangerous to other road users, pedestrians and don’t forget about the deer that seem to love snacking on the vegetation as close to the road as possible.
It’s understandable that drivers may go slightly over the speed limit. If you have, we wouldn’t admit to it in the newspaper, though.
As you suggest, getting a ticket for going 27 mph in a 25 zone would be a big bummer.
The short answer to the question is no, this would not warrant a ticket from the Durango Police Department, at least for the first offense, said Police Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop.
“Under Colorado law, municipalities cannot issue penalties for first-time violations to owners of vehicles that are going less than 10 mph over the speed limit,” he said. “Instead, a warning would be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.”
Take that guidance however you will if you’re in a hurry. Just know that the police will be watching.
The commander added that some areas of town may have a stricter threshold than others.
“For instance, Junction Street has more pedestrian and bicycle activity than South Camino del Rio, so the threshold for triggering a warning or citation may be tighter there,” he said. “But again, for minor, first-time violations, a warning and not a ticket will be sent to the registered owner.”
This discussion also made us wonder when these speed cameras may appear on the roads around Durango. There are a few things that need to happen before would-be speeders get caught by the police’s eyes in the sky.
First, City Council needs to approve an ordinance. Then DPD needs to go through its standard purchasing process, find a vendor to provide the equipment, and then install the cameras. Dunlop said the department is hoping for the first camera to be up by September.
However, there is current or upcoming construction planned for many of the streets it would like to install the cameras: Eighth Avenue, College Drive, 32nd Street, Junction Street – which may complicate things.
Dunlop said that members of the public who want to give feedback about the cameras can do so via the city’s Engage Durango website.
Submit questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail questions to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can send us your speeding tickets, but we won’t pay for them.
