Intersection Focus of Police Traffic Watch

Lead-footed and errant drivers will be targeted this week along a Thousand Oaks intersection that police say is the scene of too many accidents.

Thousand Oaks traffic enforcement officers plan to stake out the area around Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive throughout the week as part of a new “Tip of the Week” program aimed at making driving safer.

“The traffic bureau has noted a high number of accidents at the intersection as a result of drivers failing to obey the traffic light signal and speeding,” Sgt. Ken Bailey said in a prepared statement.

“The Thousand Oaks Police Department will therefore enhance public safety and awareness at the intersection by actively citing all motorists observed speeding and failing to obey the traffic light signal,” he said.

Bailey said state figures show that 9% more accidents occurred at Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive for the first three months of 1996 than during the same period a year ago.

Earlier this month, traffic officers in Thousand Oaks launched the Tip of the Week program to bring attention to various trouble spots throughout their jurisdiction.

Officers plan to step up patrols at different locations each week.

Bailey said it was the hope of the Police Department “to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the city through this type of community traffic education and enforcement.”