HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-26 Public Comment - M. Brown - safety planFrom:Marilee Brown
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]safety plan
Date:Tuesday, April 14, 2026 10:36:50 AM
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Greetings,
I have been closely involved in transportation planning and safety for 12 years, serving on
several committees and privy to information and data from police and experts. Severalpatterns have emerged of people being killed or severely injured over the years and changes
need to be made:
1) Walk don’t run or ride while in crosswalks. Most pedestrians and cyclists hit incrosswalks have not been walking but instead running or cycling fast. This gives no-one any
reaction time when large moving obstructions (vehicles) are hiding the individual. Thisincludes children and preteens riding on the sidewalk and suddenly and unexpectedly jumping
in front of vehicles looking at traffic coming from the opposite direction. Legislationrequiring that individuals in crosswalks must move at a walking pace would help give
everyone time to react.
2) Separation of cyclists from traffic. This issue is very important and requires majorfunding to build structures that complete paths and separate heavy vehicles from vulnerable
pedestrians and cyclists.
3) Better marked crosswalks. There have been many studies over the years that show thattwo narrow white lines are not enough. Several people have been hit in the downtown area
while in poorly marked brick paths or between two narrow lines.
4) High traffic intersections downtown should have crossings in all directions at once(including diagonal) shutting off all traffic movement.
5) Raising the fine from the current $100 City fine for hitting a cyclist or pedestrian.
This amount does nothing to deter sloppy driving. The amount should be substantial. Thepolice simply state that they prefer to have insurance companies settle things, but most
pedestrians and cyclists do not have insurance. And lawyers will not take on a case wheresubstantial money is not available. A stiff fine would help get the word around that drivers
need to be more careful.
6) Flashing light crossings. These should be available at all parks and schools. At trafficcircles the lights should be directed at vehicles entering the circle as well as while in the circle.
There is at least one right turn at Davis and Oak where the red flashing light can not be seenwhile vehicles are turning right onto Davis until after the turn is made and the vehicle is in the
crosswalk.
7) Pushing yellow lights. An attitude has developed for some drivers to push yellow/redlight by stepping on the accelerator at intersections speeding to beet the red light. This is often
unexpected by the many out of town drivers that we have going to school or visiting from
states that do not allow this. This issue is responsible for the majority of vehicle crashes. License plate readers (requiring state legislation) or better police presence would help.
8) Enforce distracted driving laws and increase them at a state level. Police are reluctant
to issue tickets on cell phone laws because it requires them to go to court. Work with thepolice and State to resolve this issue.
9) Better education and public service campaigns. Highschool drivers ed should be
lengthened. It is very short currently. And drivers tests are not mandatory. Public campaignsshould be increased and used in all media on a regular basis.
10) Funding initiatives and budget changes. We need additional funding and a willingness
to change the status quo in the City budget. Currently there are over 20 million dollars neededfor projects identified in the 2017 Transportation Master Plan. We expect that this amount
will be increased in the upcoming 2027 plan.
Thank you for your service and concern.
Marilee BrownDirector of Safer Bozeman