Suwanee Police Plan Checkpoint at McGinnis Ferry-Scales Road Intersection
The decision comes after two accidents in November, one of which killed two people and injured another.
Suwanee Police plan to hold a traffic-safety checkpoint in December at an intersection where there has been a recent increase in accidents, including two fatalities.
Chief Mike Jones said that officers will hold the checkpoint at McGinnis Ferry Road and Scales Road, where two accidents occurred in November 2012. One collision, on November 28, killed two people and seriously injured another.
Jones said Thursday at a City Council workshop that the November accidents were the only two at that intersection since January 2011. Still, he is aware of traffic trends and citizen unrest about safety at that intersection.
-- What other safety measures should be undertaken at this intersection? What should drivers do? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The exact date of the checkpoint is not yet set. It probably would last about two hours and could involve other police agencies, such as the Gwinnett Sheriff's Office and the Georgia State Patrol.
The checkpoint's purpose would be to get motorists "to abide by the law," Jones said. "We've got to have their help."
In the November 28 double fatality, a car driven by David Dowdy of Bogart apparently crossed the center line at a median break and went into oncoming traffic. Dowdy's vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Mike Strickland, who is in serious condition at Gwinnett Medical. Strickland's mother, Jean Strickland, was killed.
The formal investigation of the accident is not complete. Lawrenceville Police are assisting Suwanee Police with the report.
Jones noted that police patrol of McGinnis Ferry Road is not solely his agency's responsibility. Part of the thoroughfare, including the intersection with Satellite Boulevard, is in unincorporated territory, and so falls in the jurisdiction of the Gwinnett Police Department.
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T. Norwood
8:54 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
One additional danger spot on McGinnis Ferry would be as you are traveling east towards Satellite Blvd - just before the left turn lane for Satellite is another left turn lane that goes nowhere. On a number of occassions with the most recent having been the evening of 12/6/2012 vehicles make the mistake thinking that this first left turn lane is for Satellite therefore causing vehicles to end up traveling east in the westbound lane into oncoming traffic.
Steve Burns
9:56 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Thanks. T. Norwood.
Steve Burns
11:14 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Also, we'll have more information soon on other problem intersections in Suwanee.
Jimmy Chronicle
6:05 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Did they elaborate on their reason at all? (The checkpoint's purpose would be to get motorists "to abide by the law," Jones said. "We've got to have their help.") That seems pretty vague. How much effect would a two hour checkpoint have on accidents or safety?
Steve Burns
7:34 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
It seems clear what Suwanee Police are asking: abide by the law.
Jimmy Chronicle
3:02 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Seems like a fourth amendment violation.
I understand the "abide by the law". I wanted to know what results or actual effect having a checkpoint for two hours would have on accident prevention.
SuwaneeDude
12:12 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Sounds like an excuse to write citations. You know, REVENUE!!!.
Steve Burns
5:50 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
To SuwaneeDude: Two people recently were killed and another seriously injured at that intersection. Also, nearby residents are concerned for their own safety. You can be assured that the Suwanee Police and city leaders are well aware of this.