Traffic: We’ve Got Road Rage
After property taxes, the second biggest issue in Summit is traffic safety. Mayor Long crusaded 8yrs for lower speed limits, yet 25% of our 83 roadway miles still allow faster than 25mph. Not to mention driver attitudes, which are distracted by, cell phones and being late for the next appointment.
Our problem has reached epic proportions: 640 accidents a year, causing 140 injuries involving 15 pedestrians and one fatality.
Homeowners door-to-door admit speeding is so pervasive we cannot solve it by police enforcement alone. The enemy is ourselves, and residents are willing to become part of the solution.
Let me know if you want a “No Need To Speed” decal that pledges to observe the rules. Those following you will be forced to do the same. If enough individuals join the bandwagon it could change our collective behavior.
We also intend to reinforce our designated “Walk To School” routes with proper streetlights, curbs, sidewalks, and signs. Presently they exist only on paper. This would allow us to revisit current School Board policies that discourage walkers and bikers.
Finally, speed bumps or more one-way streets could create traffic subsystems that keep side roads from becoming short cuts. Today barely 3% of our roadways are single passage, allowing anarchy.
Residents are enraged by speeding cars. Some neighborhoods even have homemade “Caution, Children Playing” signs erected on their lawns. Vigilante action is already breaking out. I will do everything possible to make Summit drivers more self-conscious, and change mindsets.
Tom's Current Agenda
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Traffic