What’s up with the red yard signs along North College Drive? They say, “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here.” Maybe they could have other signs, such as “Drive Like a Person from Sun City, Arizona.” What do you think? – Not So Fast
Inconsiderate motorists have vexed North College Drive since day one.
Years ago, some annoying road bumps were installed. Then those flashing radar speed-limit sign things were erected.
Then there are the speed traps.
Mrs. Action Line, a frequent law-abiding driver on that road, reports that frequent extra police enforcement stymies the lead-footed legions. For a bit.
But soon as the ticket squad leaves, the speeding resumes.
So residents have now taken matters in their own hands with the “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs.
By the way, those signs have been around since 2010.
That’s when Petulia Pugliares of Wethersfield, Connecticut, decided to do something about speeders.
Petulia lived on a busy road between two elementary schools and a high school. She knew it was just a matter of time before some kids would get creamed.
One day, she had a brainstorm: A sign that says, “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here.”
She put it in her front yard. Then all the neighbors asked for copies. Signs soon lined the street. It was a smash hit! (So to speak.)
Petulia then started mass producing the signs as a way for others to remind drivers to think about the consequences of speeding.
But Durango, being Durango, may not be swayed by messages about child safety or common sense.
So some alternative messages might work better here.
How about: “Drive like your standup paddleboard isn’t strapped to the roof rack and it’s going to slide off and get crunched, making you late for yoga.”
Or this one: “Drive like your Durango Joe’s coffee cup doesn’t have a lid and you’ll spill your hot Caramel Macchiato on your Carhartts and stain the dog hair on your Subaru’s upholstery.”
Or maybe: “Drive like your truck’s suspension was ruined because you live on washboarded county roads but voted against the tax hike because other people should pay for the roads you use.”
Mrs. Action Line called it right. After proofing last week’s column about phony service dogs and grocery stores, she said, “You are really going to get an earful.”
As usual, Mrs. Action was spot on about Spot.
“I’m so sick and tired of the ‘love, love my dog’ attitude this town has,” an anonymous correspondent writes.
“Dogs are in food establishments and the grocery store. This really makes me mad.”
Loyal reader Catherine Bailey clears up some legal matters.
“By law, service dogs do not have to wear a vest but the have to be well behaved,” she writes, adding that merchants or restaurants can only ask two questions: Is the animal required because of your disability? What task does it perform?
Ever the wag about dogs, our good friend Dave Smiley asks, “Can I please bring my Chia Pet to the grocery?”
And finally, there was a note from marvelous Marcy Eckhardt, owner of pranaDOGS, a local dog training and behavior service (Visit pranadogs.com).
“Thanks for bringing this issue to light,” she writes.
“One of the biggest concerns here is that stores/governments are going to have to take measures to stop all the individuals who are breaking the (service animal) rules, and of course that will affect those individuals who are in fact doing it right.”
Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if slow down while driving in residential areas – because it gives you more time to send texts.
