If it seems like there are more #MiddletownRI Police out and about these days, you're not wrong. Hear from Chief Jason Ryan about why and how its all part of the department's ongoing speeding and traffic enforcement campaign.
SPEEDING & TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT A PRIORITY FOR POLICE
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MARCH 5, 2025) – The Middletown Police are doubling down on speeding and traffic safety enforcement.
Already a top priority of the department, Chief Jason Ryan said the entire force will be making motor vehicle speed and safety even more of a priority in coming weeks.
And if it seems like there were more police cars on East Main and West Main roads and other major arteries as well as local streets and cut throughs, Ryan said you’re not mistaken.
“Keeping the community safe is our top priority,” Ryan said. “This is done by enforcing all the laws. Enforcing the motor vehicle laws is one way that keeps everyone safe. Our goal is to have zero traffic fatalities.”
Every year, officers with the Middletown Police make thousands of traffic stops across the community. Some end in tickets, but many result in warnings.
Regardless of the outcome of each encounter with police, Ryan said there’s one underlying goal.
“Preventing accidents is what we are doing by enforcing the speed limit,” Ryan said. “Each speed limit is put in place for a reason and it has to do with how safe you can operate on that road. Exceeding the speed limit can endanger those around you.”
Not surprisingly, national data backs up Ryan and the work of the Middletown Police.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated in the first half of 2024, 18,720 people died in traffic accidents, which was a 3.2 percent decrease compared to the first half of 2023.
A California-based law firm reported the No. 1 cause of car accidents now is distracted driving and a Pennsylvania law office indicated human error was the root cause of more than 90 percent of the accidents on the road today.
In terms of speed, an Indiana law office indicated the chance of surviving a head-on collision depended significantly on how fast the vehicles were going. The faster the cars, the lower the rate of survival and avoiding serious injuries.
Unfortunately, a Boston-based insurance provider said motor vehicle accidents are the No. 1 cause of death for 16-24 year olds across the United States.
“Our goal is and always has been to reduce traffic accidents and to reduce speeding in town,” Ryan said. “We understand that our roads are more congested now than ever before, and this congestion leads to drivers speeding and taking more dangerous chances behind be the wheel, but it’s not an excuse when the risks are so high.”
In coming months, Ryan said he expected speed reduction cameras to be installed in school zones across the community. Ryan said the cameras remain in the permitting phase and would be well advertised once they go live.
Work continues by the Police Department to examine whether red light cameras were right for Middletown, Ryan said.
“The Town Council has requested that we explore the cameras at the red light intersections,” Ryan said. “We agreed to do this in a phased approached, so we are starting with the school zones first.”
As for what people should do if they see problem driving, Ryan said how people should notify Middletown Police depended on the situation.
If it was creating an immediate dangerous situation, Ryan asked people to call the Police Department dispatch center at 401-846-1144 with all the relevant information. However, if it was about a chronic problem that wasn’t creating an emergency, those concerns should be submitted to https://mdl.town/Helps online.
Ryan said it’s not only motorists the Middletown Police were on the lookout for when it comes to safety.
“All of the motor vehicle laws are in place to keep everyone safe,” Ryan said. “This includes keeping the motoring public, pedestrians and bicyclists safe while they are traveling on roads in town.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/Speed
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov