Slow Down In Pinole Redux
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 25 June 2008 — 1 comment below »
I wanted to make a brief editorial comment on a recent letter to the editor of the Contra Costa Times…
In a letter from a resident of Rodeo, the City of Pinole was criticized for its efforts to slow drivers along San Pablo Avenue. The Rodeo resident most likely utilizes the San Pablo Avenue corridor as strictly a commute path, and rarely stops to walk in Old Town Pinole, if ever. Therefore, the Rodeo commuter does not realize the potential dangers speeding drivers create in the heart of our neighboring city’s downtown, including two deaths only a few months ago. Although the radar signs may be a nuisance, that nuisance nevertheless slows drivers down, which is exactly the point.
I fear we may have a similar situation happening at Sycamore Avenue as drivers enter the Baywood and Promenade neighborhoods. The speed limit has always been 25mph yet most people are driving 30-40 mph. Not really a problem a few months back, but with commuters now parking in the angled parking spaces, it because increasingly dangerous. There’s more foot traffic more than ever. I tried to use the short crosswalk and as I turned my head back to check for traffic, I nearly walked into a car speeding at 40-45mph.
It’s only going to get more dangerous as these areas become developed and attract pedestrians. I hope the city keeps driving speed under control before something terrible happens.