I’ve got a lead foot, I’ll admit it. Six months after receiving my license I was ticketed for speeding. I wasn’t trying to get home quickly; I simply zoned out and wasn’t paying attention.

On a college campus where pedestrians and bikers are everywhere, it’s not a good combination when both a driver and a pedestrian aren’t paying attention. However, for those individuals concerned about speeders, there’s a way you can make a difference. The little-known solution is the Citizen Speed Survey Program.

The program was started about five years ago in response to speeding drivers.

“We had people coming in who were concerned about speeders in their neighborhood and now they can do something about it,” said Sgt. James McDougall of the DeKalb Police.

McDougall explained how the Ben Gordon Center, a local mental health care facility on the city’s safety board, spoke with the DeKalb Police Department about speeding concerns. The possibility of a program where citizens could help track speeders was suggested. The Ben Gordon Center was able to secure a grant for radar guns, purchased them and then donated the radar guns to the police department. Concerned individuals can now use them through the Citizen Speed Survey Program.

“I think it’s a great way for citizens to get involved and to help us track speeders strategically,” McDougall said.

I checked out a radar gun, and they’re pretty easy to use. They’re lightweight and fairly small compared to what I imagined they would be. After obtaining the radar gun, I sat inconspicuously near the sidewalk by the Campus Life Building and began monitoring passing cars. To my surprise, those who were speeding actually slowed down. I had a hard time not cracking up when one driver did a double take to see if I was a police officer.

Individuals can check out the radar guns and track the speed of passing vehicles. Citizens can then turn in a description of the speeder and the event to the DeKalb Police Department. The department then uses this information to put patrol cars in areas where the speeders were seen. Also, alleged speeders are notified by mail, telling them they need to slow down.

So to all my fellow pedestrians out there, if you have concerns about the speeders, head to the DeKalb Police Department and check out a radar gun. Not only are you giving drivers a friendly reminder to watch their speed, but you can have peace-of-mind knowing you helped keep DeKalb a little bit safer from speeding motorists.