Poquoson Council directs staff to pursue traffic data service, add speed signs and start studies

Poquoson City Council at a work session directed city staff to bring back a proposal in February to subscribe to a commercial traffic-data service and to acquire two permanent solar speed-display signs, and to begin speed studies on three residential roads identified by council.

Council members said the measures are intended to back up enforcement with data and to target speed-deterrent signs where they will be most effective.

City Manager Randy Wheeler and Police Chief Cates presented the council with steps the city has taken so far and new tools under consideration. Chief Cates said the police department has increased patrol presence and enforcement in response to citizen complaints and has seen the most notable increase in citations on Hudgins Road and Wythe Creek Road. Cates said the department has purchased an unmarked patrol vehicle intended primarily for traffic enforcement; the vehicle is awaiting installation of emergency equipment and will be operational in roughly two to three…