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Dear Action Line,
Curious as to why there are speed bumps on West 23rd Street in the Needham Elementary neighborhood, but there are no speed bumps on Weston, right in front of the elementary school? West 23rd is a block south of Needham, running parallel to Weston.
Frankly, there should be speed bumps or cameras on every street to curb the lead feet that exist everywhere. But for now, why speed bumps on one road, but not right in front of the school?
– Signed, Old Man Shaking His Fist in the Air
Dear Old Man,
I happen to know that you are younger than I am, so that makes me really old, and I feel ya. All these whippersnappers speeding around in their new 2016 Hyundai Elantras are out of control. Well the jig’s up, kids – we’re putting speed bumps and surveillance cameras everywhere!
Except right in front of elementary schools where little kids are running around, apparently. I reached out to the city, and here’s what it said: “The speed bumps on West 23rd Street near the Needham Elementary neighborhood were installed approximately 15 years ago, after residents submitted a petition requesting traffic calming measures. The goal was to address ongoing speeding concerns and improve safety for students and families. As for why there is no speed bump directly in front of the school, this is by design. It is more effective to put them a bit further away. This helps drivers start slowing down before they get to the school, rather than suddenly hitting the brakes right in front. This is safer for students crossing to school in a crosswalk, and allows drivers to slow down gradually.”
These particular speed bumps are actually pretty anemic though – look at the one in the picture, you can barely notice it’s there, and it doesn’t slow you down much when you drive over it. Maybe the city didn’t really think they were warranted there, and split the difference.
But, it gives you a road map on how to get them in front of your house, along with maybe a Flock camera and an armed patrolman: Petition the city to add them, getting as many of your neighbors to sign on as you can. The city said, “If residents would like speed bumps, or cameras, installed on a particular street, our ‘SeeClickFix’ portal is set up for exactly these types of requests. On the left side of the city’s homepage at durangoco.gov is a link.” Feel free to air any other grievances you might have (Denver TV, anyone?), and it couldn’t hurt to add a Festivus pole, and a challenge to city councilors of some feats of strength, with the winner getting what they want.
Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Today’s Fun Fact: “(T)he right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” is the final line of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment. It was added after King George III and his predecessors ignored the colonists’ pleas leading up to the Revolution, so that the new U.S. government could not do so.
