By Blox Content Management

Copyright thenassauguardian

Dear Editor,

I just got back from my morning walk on the stretch of road that begins at the traffic light at the Cowpen Road and Faith Avenue intersection, and ends at Faith Avenue and Marshall Road.

During my walk – at about 8:10 a.m. – I saw an orange mid-sized car being driven like a bat out of hell in front of Anatol Rodgers High School, despite there being a school crossing guard posted there!

The horn was honking, and the car was swerving between vehicles entering and exiting the school’s pickup/drop off area.

That very commonplace incident prompted me to proffer these observations and suggestions for the information and necessary action of the relevant agency or agencies in hope that they will positively impact safety for students of Anatol Rodgers in particular, and other pedestrians traversing that stretch of road in general.

There is a sign posted at both ends of that stretch of road that declare the speed limit to be 30 mph, however, the majority of motorists drive at speeds far exceeding 60 mph.

It’s a regular I95 down there! Drivers adhering to the posted speed limit are sure to have a line of cars behind them honking their horns and going around them at breakneck speeds!

With regard to the above-mentioned, I posit as follows:

1. The posting of crossing guards at Anatol does not go far enough. The guards start their work at 8 a.m., but students are dropped off, or they start walking to school from nearby communities much earlier; crossing guards should start from at least 7:30 a.m.

2. There are two picture signs just south of the Faith Gardens intersection; these indicate a school zone and a pedestrian crossing. There is also on the other side of the road a sign that says “End School Zone,” however, there is nothing anywhere that explains for the benefit of the obviously clueless drivers what “school zone” means for them.

Signs need to be erected to give the reduced speed limit in the zone, the range of hours for the reduced speed limit, and the penalties for exceeding the limit.

3. There should be visible and regular police patrols on that stretch of road. I’m not talking about roadblocks, but about a consistent presence that would act as a deterrent to speed demons, and protect people who are on the road in the early hours of the morning, whether for exercise or to go to work.

4. Signs also need to be erected to advise that the road and not the sidewalk, is the place for cars, buses, trucks, scooters, motor bikes, and bicycles, et al.

Bicycles are included in Road Traffic Regulations’ definition of “vehicles,” therefore, bicycles are subject to the general rules of the road.

Sidewalks are to be kept clear for pedestrians, meaning that cars driving or parking on sidewalks are subject to fines; similarly, riders of bicycles, with their rakes, weed whackers and other tools, who routinely bully walkers on the sidewalks, are subject to fines.