North Tustin : CHP to Begin Using Radar Against Speeders

California Highway Patrol officers will begin packing radar on Tuesday to help catch speeding motorists on roads in North Tustin.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the use of two radar units on Aug. 28 after residents complained that speeding was a major problem in the area. A homeowners’ association put up the $3,180 for purchase of the radar units and another $1,250 for 25 signs warning drivers of the new system.

Officer Paul Caldwell said that 11 roads in the area would be monitored, including Newport Boulevard, Red Hill Avenue, 17th Street and Skyline Drive. He said the 60 patrol officers assigned to the Santa Ana station have received 54 hours of instruction on how to use the system.

There will be a 30-day grace period during which speeders will be given warnings only, Caldwell said, adding that flagrant or reckless speeders will still be cited. State law prohibits the use of radar on freeways or roads with 55 m.p.h. limits, such as Santiago Canyon Road.

North Tustin will be the second area in Orange County to have CHP radar-equipped patrols. Officers began using radar on seven streets in Mission Viejo in December, 1983.

Statistics from the San Juan Capistrano CHP office show that accidents on the Mission Viejo roads decreased 14% in the second year of operation.