By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
ALCOA (WATE) - The Alcoa Police Department hopes to crack down on the number of speeders, traffic accidents and fatalities along Alcoa Highway with new signs that have a new warning.
"We just wanted to try to change the signs a little bit to try to get people's attention," said Police Chief Ken Burge.
The message at the bottom of four speed limit signs on Alcoa Highway is simple. "Speed limit electronically enforced."
"We were trying to find ways to bring attention to the speeding and the impact speeding has in our community, especially on the airport highway," Chief Burge said.
"If I see something like that, I look at the speedometer to make sure I ain't going over it," said Alcoa resident Paul Nuchols.
By many accounts, the highway is plagued with fast drivers.
"Every time you go out through there, you see something. I'm just glad to see them out there," said Alcoa resident Ellis Fuller.
Police hope the signs will reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. There were two fatal accidents in 2011.
"Speeding is the significant factor in the increased number of injuries and fatalities that we've had," Chief Burge said.
The chief also says the department has received calls asking if speed enforcement cameras will be installed. However, he says the city hasn't installed them and at this time, there's no plan to install them.
