Copyright Coeur d'Alene Press
I have to admire people like Mike Sims. He lives on Atlas Road and has been trying since earlier this year to get the city to lower the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph on a 1-mile stretch between Prairie and Hanley avenues. He believes this will reduce the amount of noise and even pollution that is taking away his peace and making him feel at times like a prisoner in his home. He has taken his case to the Coeur d’Alene City Council more than once. He has invited council members to his home. He has met with city officials. He has spoken to the media and visited The Press. He has not been successful. While city officials and councilors are sympathetic, they have not done what he has asked. They can't simply lower the speed limit on an arterial because someone wants it done, no matter how compelling their case. The city faces the challenge of trying to efficiently move thousands of vehicles through the area every day. Lowering the speed limit could have a negative effect on that effort. Traffic-calming measures could be considered, such as placing a mobile radar unit with a digital reader board that indicates a vehicle’s speed in the area. Or perhaps police might patrol the area more often. Any of those might help, but none are what Sims says is the solution. He is adamant that the estimated 200 adults and kids who lives on both sides of the busy north/south road are being harmed by a daily dose of 9,000 vehicles traveling well beyond 35 mph not far from their homes. It hasn't always been so bad, said Sims, but in the past decade traffic has escalated. He would know, as Atlas Road is just 13 yards from his property line. He hears the engines even inside his home with windows and doors closed. While disappointed, Sims is not giving up. If anything, he is digging in for a fight he is unlikely to win. He is trying to arrange a neighborhood meeting to rally support for the cause. He is continuing to research the health impacts of traffic and noise. He said slowing the speed limit to 25 mph for that 1 mile would cost a driver about a minute, while perhaps leading to a lifetime of relief for homeowners in that stretch. He has done his homework. According to Sims, studies show that vehicle emissions are emitted horizontally before rising vertically, which he believes causes nasal and respiratory problems; continuous loud noises can cause mental and heart problems; lowering the speed limits in urban areas will reduce noise and air pollution. I don’t know if Mike Sims is right. I don't know if lowering the speed limit would have the desired outcome Sims says it will, nor do I know if doing so would have a major impact on traffic that passes through on Atlas Road. As usual, there is much I don't know. But after meeting with Mike Sims several times, I do know is this: He is convinced of his cause. He has been persistent, forceful and respectful in his presentations to the City Council. He has gone through the channels. He has done research. He is not one to give up. Something tells me the city has not heard the last of Mike Sims on this matter. And that's a good thing. • • •
