PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Probus Club met May 17 at Reed Commons at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
Corporal Kyle White of the Presque Isle Police Department spoke. White is an instructor on the crash investigation and enforcement team since 2016. He is a member of the Maine State Police crash reconstruction team and also the criminal interdiction training team since 2017.
The local police department covers 72 square miles of the Presque Isle area. White said many people have the misconceived idea that police departments strive to reach quotas. Not so, he said, as quotas are unlawful in Maine. They emphasize reducing the number of crashes and maintaining safe driving habits.
Money collected from traffic violations goes to the Violations Bureau in Lewiston, which distributes it according to the departments specified. All crashes influence drivers’ insurance premiums and payments.
White said the Move Over Law requires all drivers approaching police-stopped vehicles to vacate the right lane whenever possible, reduce speeds and move widely and cautiously around the stopped vehicles. Not doing so is a violation.
In 1985 the seatbelt law was enacted, the officer said, adding that seatbelts greatly increase the survival rate in all car crashes. A police team participates in reconstruction of crashes. Major causes of crashes are excess speed, failing to yield and bad passing.
White also touched on ALICE training protocols, which attempt to offer those involved in dangerous situations the opportunity to leave areas under siege quickly and safely.
In other business, Janet Snow gave her reading today called: “Choose Your Battles Wisely,” by Richard Carlson. Carlson said everyone should evaluate their priorities in life so as to reduce stress, achieve tranquility and avoid senseless battles.
