Operation slowdown is underway in the Town of Babylon and drivers are hereby advised to take heed of the caution signs popping up in our communities, or face the consequences.

That’s the message coming from Town Hall and the First Precinct and we hope that they are serious. Speeders pose a risk to us and our children and should be penalized to ensure safety in our streets

But, statistics have shown that the majority of those who speed in residential areas are residents themselves. Many may not be consciously aware of how fast they are going, particularly as they come off a major road or highway such as Sunrise or Southern State, Route 231 or Route 110. So, it’s a logical proposal by the Town to take a public awareness approach at the outset by putting up signs to remind these drivers that as they approach residential areas, they should take their foot off the gas and slow down.

In addition to that, the town is purchasing a second speed monitoring device for use in Babylon’s streets. These devices record the speed of oncoming cars and post it for drivers to see. In the event a distracted driver forgets he or she is making a transition from a major highway to a residential area, the monitors are a reminder.

At some point, however, the police department is going to have to step in and become even more aggressive, ticketing those drivers who ignore both the signs and the monitors and speed down your block. What gentle prompting does not do, a fine might, and we just hope that the Town and the Police Department are as serious about using this third and final phase of operation slowdown as they are with phase one and two. For some drivers, it is the only message they will understand.