Speeding...now here's an idea

[neighbor]

As 1 fed up Main Street resident, this idea sounds great to me...

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5814998/

'Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns' amazed at reaction'

Durham, N.C. — A group of Durham residents taking aim at speeders with the threat of a paintball gun said Tuesday that they are "amazed and gratified at the reaction."

The group, Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns, posted signs at strategic locations throughout the city, warning motorists to slow down or risk being shot at with a paintball gun.

The group does not say if the signs are meant to serve only as an attention-grabber or if it plans to shoot paintballs at vehicles.

"We received top story coverage on local television news, more than half a dozen requests for interviews from local media outlets, and generated hundreds of comments on blogs, media Web sites and Facebook," according to an e-mail from a group member, who declined to release his or her name. "We received numerous requests from individuals who wish to receive their own copies of our sign. We inspired the creation of a Facebook group. We clearly touched a nerve in the city of Durham."

The group says it is disappointed that the city has stopped funding its PACE Car program, which was designed to help prevent speeding. Kammie Michael, a Durham police spokeswoman, said budget and staffing constraints forced the dissolution of the program.

"It is very disheartening to read that the city has neither the time nor the money to continue this program. Over 1,500 citizens signed up to participate in the 18 months the program was operational. Bring it back. Tell us how much money you need. We'll raise it," the group member wrote in Tuesday's e-mail.

The police department has increased patrols in the area recently, Michael said and residents have complimented the police department on its response.

"The Durham Police Department enforces traffic laws, and we plan to continue to be responsive to traffic concerns from residents throughout the city," she said.

Michael said it is a crime to shoot a paintball at a vehicle and that the signs could be a distraction for some drivers and make the problem worse.

[Dan Mulligan]

It's an idea that some on main street have joked with me about, however their idea was more of using eggs. Again it was just a joke.

Speeding is however of concern throughout the township. The pace car idea mentioned in the article is interesting to say the least.

Along with speeding failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks is concerning as well in our town as I have seen more then one speeder fly through a crosswalk with people in it.

Thanks for the article as it was both entertaining and informative.

[CranburySauce]

Fully agreed is a problem. But glad to see the police are at least trying out some new concepts:

http://cranburysauce.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/new-boldly-worded-traffic-signs-draw-attention/

[neighbor]

Cranbury Sauce - you rock! Honestly, we are all desensitized. I wonder anyone would notice if the police try it!

You made my day!

[Jay T.]

One resident I spoke with had a great idea. We post signs entering the town.

Welcome to Cranbury
13 Square Miles
17 Police officers
Do the Math- Slow Down

[Guest]

[neighbor]

Jay T...I'm confused! What is more important? - Main Street business or one of our residents or visitors being killed by a speeder? Don't you think it would be more pleasant to walk the streets (after parking your car) and not be worried about getting hit by a car?

The people will still come if the businesses offer great services & the speed is 25 mph (and enforced).

[neighbor]

Sorry, Jay T...My confusion should be directed to "Guest"...my apologies.

[Guest]

My limited experience is that most cars drive between 25 and 32 mph on the core section of the Main St. I did not experience a car driving more than 40mph. The busier the traffic, the slower the speed.

Excessive speeding might occur during off-peak hours. That's usually when the police come out to check.

People walk on the sidewalks, so it's still safe walking around the Main St. area.

[Guest]

Controlling the speeding starts with US - Cranbury residents. While some speeders are just passing through, I have seen many of our own residents speeding down Main St as well. Watch your own speed and slow down. It will force those behind you to slow down too.

[Guest]

[neighbor]

Not for nothing, but there are a lot of little kids in Cranbury. They don't understand all the rules of the road. It just takes 1 child to step off the curb and you've got a fatality.

I myself almost got taken out at the cross walk near the fire house this week. I was crossing my children (walking their bikes) when a car refused to stop b/c there wasn't a stop sign...HELLO...People don't even know the law!

Slower speeds will prevent accidents. Whether it is at cross walks, intersections or straight aways. The speed LIMIT on Main Street is 25 mph. That means that is the most one is to drive.

Why are people so opposed to keeping our residents & visitors safe in our town. Is that not good business?

I'm not sure we need a headline in the Press or Packet stating "Visitor to Cranbury killed while shopping downtown". That is not good business.

[Jay T.]

I would like to see our town become like Hightstown where people all over know that if you speed even by a few miles forget it if they see you. For a long time Cranbury was known as a very tough town and I strongly believe that the officers do a good job, but could use some help and support from the town and residents.

Cranbury residents should go 25 and it may slow down a car behind you who would be going 40. Go the speed limit on the other roads.

Talk up how tough the town is on speeders. If people hear people saying how tough the town is they will be cautious. Every time the car picks me up for the airport I caution them to go the speed limit saying Cranbury will ticket you if you are even 3 mph over the limit.

I'd like to reinstitute the slow down in our town signs as well.

[Guest]

Everyone wants a safer place for kids and adults. But people are not robots; they will not always obey the traffic law and drive at most 25 mph on Main St. It's a fact in NJ (there are too many cars here).

That's where common sense comes in when trying to survive in such an environment. If I want to cross Main St. with my kids, I'll wait for the cars to stop and then cross. I am not going to risk by crossing boldly just because it's the law for cars to yield.

A sign like "Please yield to kids crossing street" will likely evoke empathy from drivers who have kids to slow down.

I know it's like begging, but as long as it gets the job done, I don't mind begging in this case.

[Guest]

One other thing. Perhaps if Main St. can slow down, then there will be less bikes on the sidewalks. I walk with a stroller and a number of times teenagers and even adults come speeding past me. Sooner or later me or the baby will be hit. I support the little kids 10 and under being on the sidewalk regardless of walking or biking, but a 15 or 30 year old should be on the road.

[Guest]

On the way to/from school, I ride with my children on the sidewalks - there are too many cars and busses in a hurry and even as an adult, I don't feel safe on the street, especially where there is no or little shoulder. During the summer months, we tend to ride on the street if it is not rush hour. When they were in strollers, we would just move over onto the grass strip (where available) when there were bikers on the sidewalk that needed to get by us.