Redmond hoping campaign will slow down drivers

The message is simple.

“As the name implies, we’re trying to get drivers to slow down as they’re going through Redmond,” Redmond Police Lt. Curtis Chambers said Wednesday.

For the second year, the Slow Down Redmond’ campaign is reminding drivers to slow down, obey speed limits and look out for children, doing so by distributing bright yellow and black lawn signs.

Redmond resident Ashleigh West said it’s a needed reminder.

“People drive really quick around here,” she said, “and it’s really hard to cross the street, because people don’t stop for pedestrians, which is quite the bummer when you have a toddler with you.”

She worries about her 4-year-old son Malachi.

“Heaven forbid that he takes off running and a car doesn’t stop,” she said.

The police department said the campaign isn’t based on a single event, but instead collective concern from the community.

Some 500 signs are being distributed to City Hall, the police station and local elementary schools. Residents can swing by and grab one for free. They are encouraged to post them in their yards to help spread the message of safety.

Not heeding the advice could be costly.

“No one likes getting traffic tickets,” Chambers said. “So we might as well warn everyone about it. For going up to 10 miles over speed limit, it’s a $110 fine, 11 to 20 miles over the speed limit it’s $160, 21 and over is a $260 fine — and if any of these violations happen in a school zone, the fine is doubled.”

Even though the campaign coincided with the start of the school year, it’s become a year-round mission for the city.

“We want to remind people to slow down all the time, not just during this campaign,” Chambers said.

He also said officers will be using new equipment to help them monitor speeds and crack down in problem areas.