By 1808Delaware
Over the summer of 2025, something noticeable happened along Sawmill Parkway. Fewer crashes. Fewer injuries. And a stronger sense that the road was being watched — and cared for.
The Powell Police Department has wrapped up its S.A.F.E. Passage Initiative, a focused traffic safety campaign that began May 1 and concluded at the end of August. The results are not just encouraging — they’re measurable.
480 Stops, 84 Citations, 396 Warnings
Officers made 480 traffic stops along the Sawmill Parkway corridor. Most drivers received warnings, but 84 citations were issued to those violating traffic laws. Deputy Chief of Police Scott Roach said the intent was never about ticket volume.
“It’s about changing behavior,” Roach said. “And we’ve seen that happen.”
Crashes Down. Injuries Way Down.
Compared to the same summer period in 2024, the changes are striking:
- Total crashes dropped from 13 to 9 — a 31% decrease.
- Injury-related crashes fell from 8 to just 2 — a 75% reduction.
That means six fewer injury crashes in a single summer. Fewer emergency calls. Fewer trips to the hospital. And fewer families dealing with the fallout of a collision.
Beyond the Numbers
Roach said these outcomes affirm the value of targeted enforcement in areas with high traffic volume and crash frequency.
“Drivers do respond to presence,” he said. “You put officers out consistently, and people take notice. They slow down. They think twice before picking up their phone behind the wheel.”
While the initiative officially ended in late summer, enforcement along Sawmill Parkway will continue.
Staying the Course
“The decline in injury crashes is encouraging, but our work is not done,” Roach said. “We will continue to make Sawmill Parkway a priority and sustain enforcement efforts to protect drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout the year.”
The name “S.A.F.E.” stood for more than a slogan this summer. It became a standard. And in Powell, it’s one that the community can expect to stay in place long after the signs come down.
Source: City of Powell
