HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-30-23 Public Comment - M. Smotherman - Red Light runnersFrom:Mickey Smotherman
To:Agenda
Subject:Red Light runners
Date:Tuesday, May 30, 2023 8:44:25 PM
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Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I have been driving First Student bus 83 for 5 years all over the streets of Bozeman (serving special
ed elementary students). I regularly travel on, and cross at major intersections, north & south 19th
and Main/Huffine (from Highland to Gooch Hill). SEVERAL times a day, I witness vehicles running red
lights. These are not close calls, either – the light in front of me has already turned green when folks
are crossing the intersection, so they had plenty of time to safely stop once the yellow light came
on. These are flagrant violations of city ordinances and dangerous to public safety.
What will have an effect on these folks who flagrantly violate these ordinances? ENFORCEMENT!!
Last week, I was traveling north on 19th at the intersection with Koch, and a car in the lane beside
me ran a red light (even though I had plenty of time to stop in my school bus). Another car in the
opposite direction ran the same light. Incredibly, there was a City police car sitting on Koch at the
light, and the officer made no attempt to pull over either vehicle. Maybe that’s because he had
“more important business” somewhere else (but he did not have his lights or siren activated – he
was just sitting at the light). So, if we can’t depend on officers witnessing red light runners AND
pulling them over, what is the solution?
I humbly suggest that an investment in cameras mounted on the traffic signals at all major
intersections on 7th, 19th, and Main/Huffine – activated when a vehicle runs a red light – followed by
issuance of traffic tickets to ALL violators – would, over time, have a significant effect on this group
of folks who constantly put other citizens’ life at risk, all because they are running late to work (or a
date).
If you need any more information to motivate you to take action, let me know. I will be happy to
start keeping a log of each incident I witness. I cannot furnish plate numbers or vehicle descriptions
while I am involved in safely transporting small children to school or home – BUT cameras can!
Thank you for considering making this investment in public safety.
Ira (Mickey) Smotherman
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