HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-22 Public Comment - C. Shewey - Traffic safety issues - drivers, pedestrians, AND bicyclistsFrom:Cindy Shewey
To:Agenda
Subject:Traffic safety issues - drivers, pedestrians, AND bicyclists
Date:Tuesday, October 25, 2022 12:07:37 PM
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It is unfortunate for our community to lose yet another resident due to traffic safety issues. And now as a community we are finally beginning the talk. I have lived in Bozeman over 45 years, and we are no longer the sleepy quiet cow town withsmall town issues, but rather a city with city issues. And traffic safety is such an issue. It isan issue that is the responsibility of ALL DRIVERS, ALL PEDESTRIANS, AND ALLBICYLISTS. Contrary to our news media, this is not just a vehicle driver issue. Everyonewho uses our streets is at fault and has certain responsibilities. Enforcement is a regularly used term. Yes, we need to begin to enforce the laws that are onour books, such as cell phone usage, speed limits, abiding by the signage (stop signs, yieldsigns, speed limits in designated areas) with the fine, high enough to be a “hit” to thepocketbook, and increasing with the number of tickets, eventually leading to licensesuspension. Those driving buses and trucks over a certain size should be fined even more. Hopefully after the last traffic fatality on Bozeman city streets, the police have ticketed and
fined the owner of the bus going through the red light on 15th that has been on our news forseveral days. Easy to locate that bus. Anyone using our streets, and incurring fines obviously needs to spend an hour or two in asafety program. Not sure something like this even exists. I realize we are short on police officers, and therefore, no one to enforce our traffic laws. Maybe we could create a traffic safety force – these people do not need the extensive trainingfor the position of police, nor do they need vehicles with the state of the art equipment. Aswith vehicles being required to be registered in the county, bicycles should be registered. This would hopefully lead to improved opportunities for education and would provide some ofthe funding for a traffic safety force. Many of our intersections have pedestrian signs, showing the number of seconds until the lightwill change. I use those signs as a tool for when I need to be aware when the light willchange. Maybe we need more of those signs at intersections. We all know using cell phones when we are driving is distracting and dangerous. We havefines for such behavior, but I question how often the cell phone law is ever enforced on ourcity streets. The $100 fine is too low. I see people all the time talking and driving. Even ourpolice officers. Not sure why we discontinued the use of cameras at designated intersections, except someonecomplained about their privacy. I think we should install them. The only drivers concernedare the drivers who habitually run the red lights. I disagree with painting the streets at intersections in the City of Bozeman. I realize theirpurpose, however I find the disfiguring at intersections to be distractive to drivers, pedestrians,and bicyclists. In the world of traffic safety, we should be striving to keep our intersectionsdistraction free, and not creating more hazards than we already have with the growth we havein Bozeman.
I question how many of the new people moving to Bozeman have purchased Montana platesfor their vehicles, and/or applied for a Montana driver’s license. We have some veryuneducated and disrespectful drivers in Bozeman. Many are distracted and exceed postedspeed limits – we should be evaluating many of the posted limits, and it might be time toreduce some of those limits due to the increased traffic and traffic complexities of the zone. Pedestrians. It is easy to point to drivers as the sole problem. However, pedestrians need totake responsibility as well. We have all experienced pedestrians, especially downtownBozeman, walking on a red light without looking for traffic. It is amazing we do not havemore accidents with pedestrians not respecting the traffic laws – the traffic laws pertain to allof us. Bicyclists. Choosing to ride a bike on one of the City of Bozeman’s streets requires thebicyclist to adhere to the traffic rules, all the rules. They are sharing the road with the vehicledrivers, they do not own the road. Bicyclists need to be educated on the traffic rules, and besubject to fines for their disregard and disrespect of the traffic rules, which are often in placefor their protection. It is not too early for this education to start in our schools. Everyone needs to be aware that this time of year, with the sun lower in the sky, it is difficultto see at certain times of the day. Also, with winter coming, our roadways and intersectionsare going to be wet and often icy. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists all need to usecommon sense and respect the conditions. Local and school zone speed limits need to be enforced. Those limits are for a reason. Many of our local limits should be evaluated and determine if they need to be adjusted for thechanges in traffic. As Bozeman continues to grow, we continue to attract new drivers, pedestrians, and bicycliststo our area who do not understand the traffic flow and are inexperienced with our drivingconditions. It is up to all who use our streets to adhere to traffic safety. We have proven,common sense does not prevail. As our city commission discusses the issue of traffic safety, I hope all remember this is anissue for everyone who uses our streets, drivers, pedestrians, AND bicyclists. The sole reason I launched into communicating with the City Commission is that we need toaddress traffic safety as an issue for everyone, not just those driving vehicles. Bicyclists areas much a part of addressing the issue as drivers. Thank you for reading through this. Good luck as you wade through this important issue. Cindy Shewey