The National Transportation Safety Board wants police to write more tickets.

But local law enforcement officials think it is the wrong way to control speeding.

In the interest of safety, the federal agency wants police to set quotas for more speeding tickets this year to qualify for federal funds.

Critics argue this is contrary to laws passed by Congress, state legislatures and the public through local referendum votes.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said, “Keeping Lexington County residents and those who visit our county safe is important. We routinely inform the public about roads where we’ve scheduled traffic patrols.

“We take enforcement action to encourage good driving habits. But enforcement is never to meet any quota tied to funding. Our focus will always be preventing risky behavior rather than catching someone doing it.”

Cameron Mortenson of the Lexington Police Department said 2 Traffic Division officers are on a grant managed through the SC Department of Public Safety.

“There have not been any quotas or benchmarks proposed regarding the number of citations or warnings written by officers to receive grants,” he said.

Lexington police examined causes of collisions and found that drivers disregard traffic signals, follow too closely, speed, or are distracted.

Officers respond to citizen complaints then conduct speed studies and enforce laws in those areas.

The federal agency wants more traffic and speed enforcement cameras that are prohibited by state law.

Most states have laws that prohibit forcing officers to meet ticket quotas. Others allow red light cameras but prohibit speed cameras.

The federal agency wants electronic speed limit signs that can raise or lower speed limits remotely.