Operation Pull Over will be in effect in Muncie for the next two weeks. This means Ball State University and Muncie police departments will be pulling people over for speeding and seat belt violations.
In years past, this campaign has focused on different areas, but this time UPD officers will be paying extra attention to both McKinley and Riverside avenues. Ball State students, faculty and staff make up most of the traffic in these areas during the day.
Operation Pull Over is all about safety, and it isn't a nuisance to smart drivers who abide by the law. Low speed limits on campus protect students walking to class and also ensure any accidents that do occur aren't fatal. Seat belts ensure drivers and passengers are restrained so that accidents don't kill them.
Understandably, it's tougher for UPD officers to ticket speeders on McKinley because of the difficulty of catching and pulling over speeders. With Operation Pull Over, McKinley is going to be one of UPD's main focuses.
UPD is always on the lookout for speeders and seat belt violations, but McKinley Avenue doesn't have many places to pull people over. The few places where police could pull over drivers are reserved for buses that are transporting students across campus.
Speeders and people who don't wear seat belts beware: In the next two weeks you'll be risking more than just your safety and the safety of others.
The recent death of Travis J. Smith brought to light the necessity of speed limits and seat belts. Excessive speed and the lack of a seat belt ultimately were factors in Smith's death, according to the coroner.
Even if alcohol was a factor, had Smith been wearing his seat belt and had speed not been an issue, Ball State might not have experienced the death of a student and golfer.
Two simple measures can be taken to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians on campus alike. Seat belts keep drivers and passengers in the safe zones of cars, and speed limits ensure accidents are less likely to be fatal and protect pedestrians at the same time.
Operation Pull Over is now in effect. Be safe or be pulled over.
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