Deputies Crack Down On Hwy 97, Hwy 29 Speeders During Traffic Blitz

June 18, 2010

One after another, Escambia deputies stopped speeders on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill and Highway 29 in Century Thursday.

About a half dozen deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Unit conducted the operation, stopping car after car for violating the speed limit. In the 45 mph stretch of Highway 97 at Arthur Brown Road, near Ernest Ward Middle, deputies stopped several vehicles traveling over 60 mph Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon, it was a similar story on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29).

Many of the North Escambia traffic complaints have centered on Highway 97, known locally for its speeders and the number of traffic crashes. Thursday morning, marked cruisers were lined up in a driveway just south of Ernest Ward, partially hidden from northbound traffic by an old building. Meanwhile, motorcycle officers waited under a large oak tree nearby. One after another, the deputies pulled out after speeders.

The Traffic Unit often spends days in Pensacola working traffic in between escorting funerals. But Sheriff David Morgan has directed the unit to crack down on traffic in North Escambia when time allows, make traffic control a priority.

Pictured top: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit motorcycle deputies use a radar gun to check the speed of passing motorists Thursday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset and below: A deputy writes a ticket on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

22 Responses to “Deputies Crack Down On Hwy 97, Hwy 29 Speeders During Traffic Blitz”

  1. Angi on June 20th, 2010 1:57 pm

    It’s about time they started stopping and fining these speeders, it could’ve already saved some lives…

  2. angel brown on June 19th, 2010 11:40 pm

    the comment about the doughnuts really old joke..and the comment about the officers harrassing the working man…if the working man would obey the law then maybe there would be no “harrassement”……and when someone breaks in to your house who will the “working” man call?

  3. Linda on June 19th, 2010 11:05 am

    Way to go ECSO!! I will offer my yard for you to sit under the shade just to catch the speeders each day that I see come by. My child has almost gotten hit more then once getting off the bus, I have seen people pass of double lines where you could not see ahead. Sunday afternoon is the best time to be sitting on HWY 97 pass Gibson RD. there at the bottom of the hill. Again, feel free to sit in my yard any time. Hey I will even provide refreshments to you each and everyone just to see something stop these speeders. Hats off to you guys. Thanks for all you do for Molino.

  4. molinojim on June 18th, 2010 3:48 pm

    For those that don’t want a ticket—-PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT FOOT. Ref. the person going 10 miles lower than the speed limit — why not leave home a little early just in case you get behind them or have to wait while the roadway is cleared of a wreck. The kids are out of school and should not be in the road way any where but in truth they are. Is it worth a ticket to speed or hurt someone or yourself. I talked with a FHP officer who along with others were working the area of 29 and Molino Road. The posted speed is 55—they gave ticket for speeds of up to 88 mph.

  5. sniper on June 18th, 2010 1:52 pm

    im glad to see ESCO get involved. i drive to atmore everyday and there isnt one of those days that goes by i dont see the unmarked FHP trooper nailing people in between frans and the state line in atmore. its seems like they only patrol the 55mph areas and ignore the rest….

  6. Bill M on June 18th, 2010 1:26 pm

    It sure is refreshing to have a Sheriff that cares about the community he serves. No more “good ole boy” law enforcement. Way to go ESCD!!

  7. just saying on June 18th, 2010 1:20 pm

    It sure is nice to have a radar jammer. take that Barney fife

  8. jlh on June 18th, 2010 1:09 pm

    I agree too many people speed on 97, but on the other hand there have been many times i get behind some guy going 45 in the 55 zone. That can be pretty annoying… at least go the speed limit folks. Oh and if you see a line of 15 cars behind you please pull over and let them pass… dont hold people up.

  9. interested reader on June 18th, 2010 12:57 pm

    Most of hwy. 97 is 55 mph but few are going slow enough to read the sign. Glad ECSO is giving this road some attention. Keep up the good work.

  10. LaVerne Baglio on June 18th, 2010 11:57 am

    way to go ECSD
    Looking good………………….

  11. mom~0f~2~beautifulgirls on June 18th, 2010 11:17 am

    wish they would be on hwy 97…everyone trails u even going 60..which is only 5 over the speed limit

  12. BAJ on June 18th, 2010 11:02 am

    I am glad, I cringe when I get tailed and then the idiots usually pass on a curve,,,DUH!!! Oh and by the way catch the truckers too!!! PULEEZE

  13. T.K. aka The DODGE MAN on June 18th, 2010 10:56 am

    Thank GOD for radar detectors !!! I drive to atmore everyday to work and 45 mph is just to slow.

  14. YELLARHAMMER on June 18th, 2010 10:07 am

    It’s about time and I agree with idunno.

  15. Don on June 18th, 2010 9:30 am

    Carry spare doughnuts, just in case!

  16. olfreind on June 18th, 2010 9:10 am

    I think they think the sign Hwy 97, they most be thinking that its the speed limit, Too many wrecks happen on that round and there is a school to… They need a ticket..

  17. Robert hudson on June 18th, 2010 9:02 am

    If you can not read the speed limit signs, then you need to get a ticket. Way to go ECSO! Bag um, and tag um! Now maybe they will realize that there is a speed limit on 97!!

  18. just saying on June 18th, 2010 8:55 am

    What a money racket. You will never get anywhere on this long stretch of road traveling 45 mph. Cops love to harass the working man instead of going and looking for drug dealers and what not since the working man is going to pay his tickets.

  19. Michelle on June 18th, 2010 7:51 am

    Finally, thank you to the officers who were involved. I hope this won’t be a one day thing and stay unlit people get the message.

    I’ve driven through the school zone doing 20 when the light is flashing and have had drivers fly passed me blowing their horns at me.

  20. whitepunknotondope on June 18th, 2010 6:52 am

    Are you saying that they are pulling drivers over only if they’re going 60 or faster in a 45 mph zone?

  21. idunno on June 18th, 2010 5:46 am

    It’s about time Mr 5 Star did something on Hy 97. These idiots will run slap over you if u run 55. Thx!

  22. Joe on June 18th, 2010 1:34 am

    way to go ECSO! we need more of this in the north end. if enough folks get pulled over perhaps the speeding will decrease and maybe, just maybe, make 97 a safer road. good job to Mr. Morgan and the deputies who spent the day pulling folks over, we really do appreciate this. (when I say we, I only speak for my family as I am sure some folks were not happy with the tickets)