Once again Southborough Police are taking advantage of a grant to crack down on dangerous driving.
The department is in the midst of a crackdown on texting. Through May 1st, officers will be looking for drivers distracted by texting.
Thanks to the grant’s funding of overtime, you can expect to see more of them out there. (Of course, you may be too busy texting to notice them until they switch on their lights.)
A release issued by the SPD reminds that adult drivers who write, send, or read electronic messages (or browse the internet) face a $100 fine for a first offense. That’s “even if the vehicle is stopped in traffic.” (I have to admit that I didn’t know that part.)
Juvenile operators are “entirely prohibited from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving, including to make phone calls.” Those caught will have their licenses suspended for 60 days and be required to complete a driver attitudinal course. That’s on top of the $100 fine.
For more details, read the release. For tips on avoiding dangerously distracted driving, click the flyer to enlarge.
The crackdown began on April 10th. The increased patrol may be partly responsible for the four arrests that took place this weekend.
None were for texting. But three of them were for dangerous drivers.
Read about those incidents and more in the latest logs from the Southborough Police Department.
Thursday, April 09, 2015:
- 0024 hrs – An officer investigated a suspicious motor vehicle parked in front of a Boston Road business. The vehicle and the operator checked out ok.
- 0747 hrs – Officers investigated a three car motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. There were injuries reported at the scene of the accident.
- 0903 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Madison Place residence.
- 1242 hrs – Officers investigated a four car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.
- 1652 hrs – An officer took a larceny report at the police station.
Friday, April 10, 2015:
- 0136 hrs – Officers checked on a suspicious person outside of a Park Street business. The individual was located and check out ok.
- 0737 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.
- 0832 hrs – Officers investigated a five car, motor vehicle accident on Turnpike Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.
- 0914 hrs – ARRESTED: A Central Falls, RI woman was charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee (Prostitution).
- 1103 hrs – ARRESTED: An Ashland man was charged with Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle; Impeded Operation; and having an active Arrest Warrant out of Natick District Court.
- 1211 hrs – A medical was reported at a William Onthank Lane residence.
- 1412 hrs – Officers investigated an abandoned 911 call from a Boston Road residence.
- 1425 hrs – ARRESTEDA Boston man was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License (Subsequent Offense); No Inspection Sticker; and having No License in Possession.
- 1625 hrs – An officer assisted a disabled motorist on Deerfoot Road.
- 1706 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Powdermill Lane residence.
- 2237 hrs – Officers assisted Shrewsbury Police Department with a search for a missing female at a Turnpike Road business.
- 2255 hrs – An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Waterview Terrace (a motor vehicle racing through the neighborhood). The responding officer reported back that the vehicle was no longer in the area.
Saturday, April 11, 2015:
- 0751 hrs – A medical was reported at a William Onthank Lane residence.
- 0932 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Presidential Drive residence.
- 1155 hrs – An officer investigated a complaint of low-hanging telephone wires on Parkerville Road. Verizon was contacted and advised of the situation.
- 1334 hrs – An officer checked on two suspicious males in the parking lot of a Turnpike Road business. The officer reported back that both parties checked out ok.
- 1346 hrs – Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.
- 1413 hrs – Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Cordaville Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.
- 1640 hrs – Officers responded to Southville Road to investigate a report of a possible erratic operator heading into Southborough from Hopkinton. Officers checked the area and reported back negative findings.
- 1952 hrs – ARRESTED:A Marlborough man was charged with OUI Alcohol; Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle; Speeding; and No Registration in Possession.
Sunday, April 12, 2015:
- 0004 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.
- 0129 hrs – Officers assisted a disabled motorist on Turnpike Road.
- 0803 hrs – Officers investigated a burglar alarm at a Turnpike Road business.
- 1201 hrs – An officer investigated a one car, motor vehicle accident at the MBTA station. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.
- 1438 hrs – Officers investigated a two car, motor vehicle accident on Cordaville Road. No injuries were reported at the scene of the accident.
- 1748 hrs – A medical was reported at a Boston Road residence.
To view past Police Logs, click here.
My office overlooks the intersection of two busy streets/neighborhoods. I have the unfortunate vantage point of seeing everything coming and going (even adult women changing shirts in full view while waiting to pick their kids up off the bus – serious). I can see literally into cars and the people who have their phones up in their faces or texting or surfing the web et. Most if not all are adults, shockingly, many have young children with them setting a very poor example. How do we expect teens/young adults not to do things when parents model bad behavior and in many cases behavior that endangers others.