Chief’s Corner

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police Department

            This past week I was asked a series of questions about the status of roads in our community.  The person asking the question wished to know what constitutes a state highway.  They also wished to know what can be considered as a “main road.”

            The answers to these questions can be considered rather gray.  The state highways are laid out under the authority of statute and are maintained and controlled by the State Highway Department or other governmental agency.  Some have been designed by such departments as the Army Corps of Engineers to be used for strategic purposes.  These highways are also provided with special designations or numbers.  We have four state highways in our community.  These are Routes 197, 131, 12, and 31.  Some of these are split for maintenance purposes between the Town and the State.

            The “main road” definition is really unclear.  Certain roads can be designated as main roads by such factors as location, traffic volume, and connecting streets.  Main roads can connect one state highway to another, such as our Oxford Avenue, which connects one section of Route 12 to another. These may also be a specially designated road by the community for any of the reasons stated above.  We have a list of what we consider main roads in town.  Dudley Oxford Road and Dudley Southbridge Road are examples of main roads.

            It is important to remember to observe the safety rules and speed limits of any road, whether they are considered a main road or not.  People on dead end streets or lightly traveled roads may not take the same precautions while playing or walking as do others who live along a state highway.  Automobiles can come by at any time.  Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution to prevent accidents and injuries.

            On Wednesday evening, November 15^th, I had the pleasure of speaking to the eight and nine year old Dudley Cub Scouts (Bears) at St. Anthony’s Church.  Their group was learning about crime prevention and I was pleased to offer them some insight into their studies.  I thank their leader Mr. Thames, his assistants, and all the young men for their hospitality and enlightening conversation.

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