Crime & Safety

VIDEO: Police Hope to Educate Public on Dangers of Illegal Turns on Main St.

Resident asks mayor what can be done to curb illegal turns.

Though officers said it only happens occasionally, the and are hoping to educate the public about the dangers of illegal left and right turns and illegal U-turns on Main Street.

Resident Bob Norman asked how the borough is policing the issue at Tuesday's council meeting. Mayor Bob Alviene said summonses are issued for the offense, but that it is hard to patrol the issue without stationing an officer on Main Street for eight hours a day. He also said the number of summonses issued for the offense does not warrant keeping a police officer down there.

"The truth is, we're dealing with people. Some people will obey the law, some people will never obey the law," he said.

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Norman asked if the borough has considered installing cameras in traffic fixtures not only on Main Street, but at the intersection of Route 23 and Kiel Avenue also to prevent people from making illegal turns or catch them in the act. But Alviene said the cameras have proven to be unsafe and many municipalities are considering doing away with the cameras as "people are panicking and stopping ahead of time."

Butler Police Capt. Ciro Chimento said many people do not know they are unable to cross the double yellow line to turn into a parking spot or turn to drive the other direction on Main Street. So, when a person is pulled over for doing such, Chimento said officers explain the hazards of the improper turn.

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Penalties for improper U-turns can include a $140 fine and three points on a driver's license and penalties for improper left or right turns can include an $85 fine and three points on a driver's license.


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