Gov. Peter ShumlinMONTPELIER, Vt. -
Monday, Vermont State police announced a crackdown on speeding for the next 60 days. Tuesday, Gov. Peter Shumlin called the proposed level of enforcement idiotic.
Highway safety officials say police are going to strictly enforce the speed limits for the next 60 days during a statewide, coordinated crackdown on speeders. The announcement was in response to 42 accident fatalities since January-- twice the number of deaths at this time last year.
Shumlin says the idea of police being more visible and pulling over excessive speeders, drunk drivers and anyone without a seatbelt is paramount, but he does not support tickets for slightly exceeding the speed limit.
"I think there is a little irrational exuberance in our commitment to make Vermont roads safer. The commissioner is doing an excellent job, but obviously it doesn't make sense to use taxpayer dollars to ticket people going one mile an hour over the speed limit. Obviously we won't be doing that; we'll be using common sense, but safety must be our commitment," said Shumlin, D-Vermont.
The governor says he spoke with Commissioner Keith Flynn Tuesday and they're now on the same page. He says police should use their own discretion of what constitutes speeding.
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