A recent traffic study on Indian Town Road has confirmed residents’ concerns about speeding—and Fall River Police are now increasing enforcement in the area.
In response to complaints from residents about vehicles traveling too fast on Indian Town Road, the Fall River Police Department recently conducted a traffic study to get a clearer picture of vehicle speeds and determine where enforcement efforts would have the greatest impact.
The results showed a significant number of motorists exceeding the posted 25 MPH speed limit.
During the analysis period, 4,140 northbound vehicles were recorded on Indian Town Road. Approximately 84% were traveling at 35 MPH or less, meaning they were within 10 MPH of the posted limit.
However, the study also found that:
- 615 vehicles were traveling 10 MPH or more over the speed limit—the threshold the department uses for a traffic stop and potential citation.
- 32 vehicles were recorded traveling 20 MPH or more over the posted speed limit.
- The highest concentration of vehicles traveling 10 MPH or more above the speed limit occurred between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Unlike some previous traffic studies conducted by the department, police said the Indian Town Road data clearly indicates that additional enforcement is warranted.
As a result, the department’s Environmental Police Unit and Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit have been directed to conduct speed enforcement on Indian Town Road. Both units are equipped with LiDAR speed-measuring technology.
Police are also being upfront about where enforcement will take place.
The department acknowledged that publicly announcing increased enforcement may seem unusual, but officials said the goal isn’t to surprise drivers or issue as many tickets as possible.
The goal is simply to get motorists to slow down.
Indian Town Road is not a roadway where drivers should be traveling 45 MPH or faster, police said. If announcing enforcement efforts encourages motorists to take their foot off the gas, the department considers that a success.
The department also had a message specifically for Indian Town Road residents: living in the neighborhood doesn’t provide an exemption from the speed limit.
In fact, police are asking residents to help set the example by obeying the posted limit and encouraging others to do the same.
Indian Town Road is already equipped with digital driver-feedback signs that display a motorist’s speed. However, those signs do not collect or record traffic data. That’s why police used separate equipment to conduct the traffic study.
The department said traffic studies like this are an important tool because they allow officers to move beyond individual complaints and use actual data to determine whether a speeding problem exists, when it is occurring, and where enforcement resources can make the biggest difference.
For Indian Town Road residents who raised concerns, the message from police is clear: they heard you, they studied the problem, and they’re taking action.
Motorists are being asked to slow down, obey the posted 25 MPH speed limit, and help keep Indian Town Road—and Fall River’s roadways—safe.
