INDIANAPOLIS — After a surge of complaints from the community, IMPD is stepping up patrols to crack down on reckless and dangerous driving.
The weeklong traffic enforcement initiative started Monday morning and is in partnership with Indiana State Police.
IMPD identified 31 locations around Indianapolis that are considered a problem. One of them is 16th and Pennsylvania streets just north of downtown.
“It’s hectic, it’s hectic. I’m scared to even walk across the intersection sometimes,” Wesley Hamilton said.
Hamilton crosses the intersection every morning and believes drivers need to slow down.
“They will blow the horn at you, too. They are kind of aggressive,” Hamilton said.
Audrey Westerfeld agreed. She lives in the area, and her child attends Herron High School right on the corner.
“I see stuff all the time,” Westerfeld said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s just this area.”
That’s why IMPD is focusing on different areas around Indianapolis.
“We’ve had some neighborhood complaints, so what we are doing is essentially going out and giving an extra effort in those specific areas that are being affected,” IMPD Sgt. Javed Richards said.
Recently, reckless driving has caused fatal crashes, hit-and-runs and road rage shootings.
So far this year, IMPD has responded to 274 crashes involving pedestrians, up 13% compared to last year. Seventy-six of those were hit-and-runs, and 28 were fatal.
IMPD has also responded to 84 crashes involving a cyclist, with five of them being fatal this year.
IMPD said the extra traffic enforcement this week is not about issuing tickets, but rather educating drivers.
“The focus is essentially on correcting behavior. Obviously, we know tickets do help in correcting behavior but also speaking to someone, giving them a warning and educating them more on a one-on-one conversation, that is another way of actually correcting behavior,” Richards said.
- 86th Street & Monon Trail
- 25th Street & Sherman Avenue
- 3800 North Meridian Corridor
- 16th and Pennsylvania streets
- 6100 Primrose Avenue
East District
- 10th Street from Emerson to Arlington
- Washington Street from Emerson to Arlington
- 56th Street from Emerson Way to I-465
- Shadeland Avenue from I-465 tie-in to 10th Street
Southeast District
- Madison Avenue between Terrace Avenue and Thompson Road (Late evening into early morning, Thursday through Saturday)
- East Raymond Street between Shelby Street and Southeastern Avenue (Daytime during school hours)
- East Washington Street between Pine Street and Emerson Avenue (Daytime to 10 p.m.)
- English Avenue between Rural Street and Emerson Avenue (Daytime during school hours)
- U.S. 31 South between Southport and Countyline roads (All normal work hours until early evening, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday)
- Southeastern Avenue between Prospect and Raymond streets (business hours)
- South Keystone Avenue between Prospect Street and Hanna Avenue (business hours)
Southwest District:
- South half of Haughville - White River West to Tibbs and Michigan Street to 10th Street.
- West Washington Street from Belmont to Holt Road.
- Southern Mars Hill - Lynhurst Drive to Holt Road and Troy to Kentucky avenues.
- Mid Wayne Township - High School Road to Lynhurst Drive and Rockville Road to 10th Street.
Northwest District:
- 7900-8600 N. Payne Road
- 4800-7900 W. 56th St.
- 5600 N. High School Road
- 5600 N. Lafayette Road
- 5600 N. Georgetown Road
- 5600-8600 N. Michigan Road
- West 38th Street between High School and Moller roads
Downtown District:
- Washington/Delaware streets
- Washington/Pennsylvania streets
- Capital Avenue/Maryland Street
- Washington/Illinois streets