MEDINA, Ohio – Board of Education member Andrew West recently addressed city council to share his concern about traffic issues near Root Middle School.
“Every morning when I go to work, I drive past Root and go up Court Street,” he said. “I see a lot of kids walking to school and I try to be cognizant because a lot of kids walk to school and I know they don’t always watch for cars. But three times in the last eight weeks I have seen large semi-trucks blow through the stop light at Sturbridge and Route 3. These have not been situations where it has been close. My light has turned green and I’ve waited for a few seconds and a big truck has blown right through.”
West said he has spoken with neighbors who have told him they have witnessed similar incidents.
“I worry about our kids. If my boys were still young, I would be worried about them,” he said. “I know we can only stop people if we see them doing it, but maybe this is something the city can take a look at.”
West said he is also concerned about kids riding on electronic bikes and not taking safety precautions seriously.
“I recently saw a kid riding an electronic bike on Sturbridge,” West said. “He popped a wheelie and rode all the way up to the other intersection that way and came back and did it a second and a third time.”
Police Chief Ed Kinney explained that electronic bikes are prohibited on sidewalks and must be operated in the street and operators must follow all street traffic laws while operating the electronic bikes in the street.
“We appreciate you bringing this to our attention,” Council President John Coyne said.
“I live on the other side of Route 57 and I share your concerns of motor scooters on the street that do not follow the same traffic regulations we are all meant to follow,” Councilor Natalie DiSalvo said. “I completely understand your concern and I’m sure we all want to make sure to watch out for children going to school.”
Earlier in the meeting Councilor Regi Haire said she has been receiving comments from constituents about the city’s busy roads and added she would like to work with the clerk of courts and city administration to set up a meeting to talk about those issues.