Traffic Enforcement

All officers of the Dover Police Department are committed to the reduction of injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.  This is accomplished by the enforcement of the traffic laws within the Town of Dover. 

The largest volume of complaints received by the police department is in the area of speeding.  Speeding causes a driver to lose the ability to properly control the vehicle being operated.  A vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour is traveling a distance of approximately 50 feet each second.  In the time it takes to light a cigarette, change a radio station, Glance at a map or book or put on your makeup you cover an large distance.  This distance and time is very deceiving to the average driver.

Probably one of the most misunderstood areas of traffic enforcement is the operation of traffic radar.  Radar is not operated to issue fines.  The basic function of Traffic Radar is to cause the public to slow down and provide themselves TIME TO REACT.  Officers of the department operate Radar at various areas of town that due to high traffic volume and higher or increased accident rate show the need for enforcement.  The Town of Dover Police Department maintains accident data and periodically conducts a review of this data to determine the areas in need of specialized enforcement.

Many residents complain about vehicles travelling their street at high rates of speed.  The police department has various measures that can be taken to address speeding issues throughout the Town of Dover.

The department may place the Radar Activated Speed Notification Sign in the area.

A traffic survey using a traffic counter may be conducted.

Portable Speed Limit Signs may be placed in the area. 

Patrol Units may be parked in the area. 

In each case, these activities will be replaced by an officer operating radar and issuing summons to violators.

Town of Dover Police Department Fatal Accident Unit

The fatal accident unit of the Dover Police Department is composed of a group of police officers specially trained in the field of accident investigation and reconstruction.   This unit is commanded by Captain Peter Ugalde.

Officers in this unit are specially trained in the area of accident reconstruction. 

There are several levels of training for officers in this area. 

At Scene Traffic Crash Investigator

Advanced Traffic Crash Investigator

Vehicle Dynamics

Traffic Crash Reconstructionist

Each of these designations requires the completion of a two week comprehensive report as well as prior experience in the investigation of vehicle crashes.

These officers respond to the scene of all serious and fatal motor vehicle accidents and head the investigation of the accidents to ascertain the proximate cause of the accident.   They work to ensure the safety of the motoring public and to combat traffic injuries and fatalities through education, engineering and enforcement.