When it comes to enforcing traffic laws, Groton City Police are among the most aggressive in the state. This may not be welcome news for drivers who cruise faster than the posted limits, use their hand-held cell phones to talk or text while driving, fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or delay replacing their burned out head or tail lights. But it should be greeted as extremely good news by the many who live or work in the city and walk, run or bike along its busy streets.

Recently released statistics from the state Office of Policy and Management, as analyzed by the Connecticut Mirror, rank Groton City Police 16th among nearly 100 police departments in the state in terms of the per officer number of tickets. At 117 tickets per officer between October 2013 and September 2014, Groton City ranks well above most other southeastern Connecticut departments. Combine Groton City’s totals with the number of tickets issued by Groton Town and Groton Long Point and the resulting 247 tickets per officer brings the entire municipality to the top of the state list, out-ticketing even the Connecticut State Police.

In Groton City, slightly more than half those traffic stops result in a verbal or written warning. In Groton Town, the warning rate runs just above 70 percent.

No driver enjoys being pulled over by a police officer, but 2011 U.S. Department of Justice statistics, the most recent year available, show about three-quarters of drivers stopped by the police nationwide admit the stop was legitimate. Police Chief Thomas Davoren also points out some unique Groton City qualities that make its streets particularly hazardous. There is a huge influx and outflow of commuting workers daily, for example, and many of these drivers traverse streets that also are busy pedestrian zones. Also, the four-lane Clarence B. Sharp Highway that is a prime artery to and from the city forces incoming drivers to drastically reduce their speeds from 65 mph to 45 mph and then 25 mph. West Side Middle School, along with the densely populated neighborhoods surrounding it, is on Brandegee Avenue, a street that essentially is an extension of Clarence Sharp Highway.

Drivers also should consider the dangerous risks associated with traffic violations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calculated in 2013 there were nearly 10,000 speeding-related fatalities nationwide, as well as 66,000 pedestrian injuries and more than 4,700 pedestrian deaths.

With stakes this high, aggressive traffic enforcement is warranted.

Our support does come with a caveat, however. Another analysis of traffic stop data revealed a "statistically significant racial or ethnic disparity," in stops by the Groton Town Police, placing it among five law enforcement agencies identified as having data that warranted further analysis to determine if any racial or ethnic bias exists.

Traffic stops must be legitimate and police must act professionally and impartially. Only then can enforcement be considered fair and effective.