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Traffic Division
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Mission:
The Rowlett Police Department Traffic Division is committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens through problem solving, investigation, education and enforcement. The Traffic Division is comprised of four Officers and one Lieutenant that respond to various traffic related issues. Traffic Officers are primarily responsible for enforcing Transportation Code violations, investigating fatality and injury collisions, hit and run follow up investigations, and reviewing red light camera violations. Traffic Officers utilize various forms of equipment including, but not limited to motorcycles, squad cars, speed trailer, lasers, Sokkia Total Station surveying equipment, and Doppler RADAR.
Traffic Officer Requirements:
To become an officer in the Rowlett Traffic Division, officers must pass a physical fitness assessment twice a year. In addition to the fitness assessment, officers must attend a two day motorcycle safety course and a rigorous two week basic police motorcycle course before being selected to the Division. Once selected to the Division, officers will complete a Motorcycle Training Officer (MTO) Program, where a new Traffic Officer will ride with a more experience Traffic Officer to learn the proper way to operate a police motorcycle on the roadways. Rowlett Traffic Division Officers attend at least 8 hours of motorcycle training per month in addition to attending various accident investigation training.
CURRENT SAFETY ISSUES
Speeding:
Currently, there are several locations in the city that are under construction. As a result of the construction, many motorists have found alternate routes around town. Some of the alternate routes are legal, but many are not. Many of the traffic related issues involve motorists using residential streets as alternate routes around the construction. Although these routes are perfectly legal, the Rowlett Police Department would like to remind all motorists that the speed limit on all residential streets is 30 MPH unless posted otherwise. The Rowlett Traffic Division has received and responded to complaints of motorists exceeding the 30 MPH speed limit on residential streets and have been utilizing appropriate equipment and extra personnel to address these issues. Drive through neighborhoods as cautiously as you would in your own.
Cut Through Traffic:
Other selected routes are not legal. Many motorists are electing to cut through business parking lots instead of waiting in traffic. Not only is this a public safety issue, but it is against the law to cut across a parking lot to travel from one road to another. The Rowlett Police Department has received complaints from citizens and business representatives requesting assistance to solve the problem. In an attempt to gain voluntary compliance at one parking lot, Rowlett Officers stopped motorists and issued over 100 warnings to motorists for the violation during one morning rush hour. Rowlett Officers returned the next day and observed continued violations and began issuing citations. The Rowlett Police Department continues to monitor this issue and will take appropriate action if violations are observed.
Alley Cut Through Traffic:
Many residents have expressed concerns about the speed of vehicles and the increasing number of vehicles using alleys as a cut through. In an attempt to gain voluntary compliance, The City of Rowlett has responded by placing “No Thru Traffic” signs in alleys to notify motorists that cutting through an alley is prohibited. The Rowlett Police Department has continued to receive complaints of motorists disregarding these signs on Carla Dr during Rowlett Elementary School drop off and pick up times. The Rowlett Police Department has requested the administration of Rowlett Elementary to place flyers in the student’s folders to remind parents that this activity is prohibited. In addition to the flyers, Rowlett Officers have begun monitoring the area and are taking appropriate enforcement action.
Blocking Intersections:
Many citizens have expressed a concern about motorists who block intersections and prevent other motorists from traveling through the intersection when they have the right of way. The problem occurs when a motorist enter a congested intersection under a green light, but fail to clear the intersection. Stopping in or blocking an intersection is illegal. The City of Rowlett has erected several “Do Not Block Intersection” signs throughout the city in an attempt to gain voluntary compliance. In addition to the signs, Rowlett Police Officers have begun monitoring certain intersections and taking appropriate enforcement action when violations are observed. Be courteous and do not block the intersection.
High School Traffic:
Each school day Rowlett Police Officers assist the morning rush hour traffic by directing traffic at the intersection of Kirby Rd and Main St. During this short period of time several hundred motorists travel through this intersection. Many officers have reported motorists and pedestrians entering the intersection without being instructed to do so, or after being told to stop. Officers would like to remind all motorists and pedestrians of the fact that this location is a 20 MPH School Zone and everyone is required to obey the direction of the officer (motorists and pedestrians). Unless the officer in the intersection directs you verbally or by hand signal to travel through the intersection do not enter the intersection.
Requested Traffic Enforcement Locations:
Rowlett Rd and Big A Rd
Indian Trail
Kirby Rd and Main St
Boyd Blvd and Lakeview Pkwy
Toler Rd
Carla Dr
Lakeview Pkwy between Main St and Liberty Grove Rd
TRAFFIC SAFETY TIPS
Leave earlier.
Slow down and obey speed limits. Neighborhood speed limit is 30 MPH.
Do not enter intersection until there is enough room to clear the entire intersection.
Take alternate routes (Kirby Rd, Miller Rd, Dexham Rd, Liberty Grove Rd, Merritt Rd, Industrial Dr, Melcer Dr, Martin Dr, Centerville Rd, and Castle Rd).
Never place a child safety seat in front of an airbag.
Streets and alleys are designed for vehicles and should never be used as a playground for your children.
Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
School buses are picking up and dropping off children. Stop while busses are loading and unloading.
School zones are 20 mph and are strictly enforced.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Texas Law that requires motorists, who are involved in any non-injury accident, to remove the vehicles from the travel lane if they can be driven. The vehicles should be moved to a safe location and the necessary information should then be exchanged. You are required to use your safety belt in the manner in which it was designed to be used (shoulder strap over the shoulder).
You are not required to stop for a School Bus Loading or Unloading if you are on a divided roadway and you are on the opposite side.
If you double your speed, you quadruple your stopping distance.
REPORTING TRAFFIC ISSUES:
To report a traffic enforcement issue please email or contact Lt. Steve Ferrie at sferrie@rowlett.com or 972-412-6241.
Lt. Steve Ferrie is Commander of the Traffic Unit. He began his career in law enforcement on April 6, 1989 as a Communications Officer for the Rowlett Police Department.
In 1991 he was assigned to the position of Police Officer. Lieutenant Ferrie was appointed to the position of Acting Sergeant in 1999 and was later promoted to Lieutenant on February 3, 2000.
Lieutenant Ferrie currently holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate and is a TCLEOSE certified police instructor. He instructs Immediate Deployment Rapid Interventions tactics, Police Emergency Driving and Less Lethal Munitions. He is also the unit commander of the Rowlett Police Departments Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
Lieutenant Ferrie is a graduate of the Southwestern Legal Institute School of Police Supervision and is also an August 2002 graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, Leadership and Command College, class #41. He can be reached at 972-412-6241 or by email.
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