Dearborn moves to tighten traffic enforcement and buy new traffic-calming equipment after student struck

Dearborn officials told residents on March 18 that the city is stepping up enforcement, engineering and education to curb speeding and reckless driving after a series of crashes, including a December 20 collision that left a 15-year-old student critically injured.

The mayor described a three-part approach — “the 3 E’s: enforcement, engineering, and education” — and said the city issued about 25,000 citations last year and is rolling out traffic-calming infrastructure funded by recent grants. “We have the light up stop signs, the traffic signs ... 300 speed humps will be completed by this summer,” the mayor said during the meeting. He added that the city has about a $1.5 million package of grants for traffic-calming work and that crews have poured two high‑visibility concrete crosswalks with 25 additional locations in design.

Public speakers had urged faster action. Shirley Laney, of the Dearborn General Federation of Women’s Clubs, recounted the December crash and urged daily police presence at Fordson High School, a marked pedestrian crossing on Ford Road near Shafer, and stiffer penalties for reckless driving. “I urge for police presence daily at Fordson High School until we implement ... a pedestrian crosswalk built to ensure the safety of students,” Laney told the council during public comment.

On the consent agenda the council approved two purchases tied to the traffic plan: a cooperative contract award to Tapco not to exceed $141,242.50 for illuminated stop signs and beacon systems for East Dearborn, and a cooperative purchase from Custom Signals not to exceed $42,870 for 15 dash‑mounted radar units for the police department. Both purchases were approved as one‑time acquisitions and the council attached unanimous roll calls.

Officials also described traffic studies and planned engineering changes at problem locations. The city said it has completed studies at Chase and Ruby and Schafer and Prospect; a roundabout will be installed this summer at Chase and Ruby and lane/turn‑movement changes and pedestrian islands are scheduled for Schafer and Prospect. The mayor noted Ford Road is a state highway and the city will advocate to state authorities if studies recommend a pedestrian bridge or other state action.

The mayor and council stressed that towing authority is limited by state law and explained that towing for reckless driving generally requires speeds 25 mph over the limit plus additional factors; otherwise officers may issue citations and refer cases to court. The city has also renewed a driver‑education program taught by police officers and said it has contacted local driver‑education schools and eye‑care providers as part of outreach.

Ending: Officials said residents should expect more visible traffic measures this spring and summer as grant‑funded engineering projects and purchased enforcement equipment are deployed.