Speed Limit Schizophrenia

On Friday, after posting my previous blog entry, I went directly to the phone hoping to get answers about the lack of school zone speed limit signs on Bergan Street. The Street Department's division of Traffic & Lighting seemed like the logical place to call. But when I did, I was told that I needed to contact the City's Engineering department because speed limit signs are now handled by a private contractor.

A private contractor?? Maybe this explains a few things about the schizophrenia of South Bend's speed limit signs. There's an abundance of places in the city that have no posted speed limit signs but also don't fit into neatly into the "Residential areas = 30 mph" rule of thumb. On the other hand, there's also places such as Portage Avenue where speed limit signs seem to sprout up every few feet indicating a DIFFERENT speed each time. In all fairness, I'm sure the private contractor isn't responsible for setting the actual speed limits. But it was nice to finally have a place to direct my mph angst, if only for a moment.

(While we are on the subject, here's a joke for you, "Does anyone know what the drivers behind you do when you actually follow the 20 mph speed limit posted on much of Portage?" To find out the answer, just try it sometime and the hilarity of their comments, gestures and dangerous driving antics are sure to ensue.)

On with the subject at hand... I called the Division of Engineering office and was routed to a woman by the name of Marsha Qualls. I explained to Ms. Qualls that no speed limit signs exist in or near the Marquette School zone, which she was surprised to hear. I also told her that because the Portage Avenue traffic detour is now routed onto Bergan Street and through the school zone, that children (alone and with no crossing guard) are having trouble trying to cross the street as cars speed by.

Ms. Qualls informed me that she would inspect the area herself that afternoon and see about getting a few "20 mph When Children are Present" signs put up in the area. I also asked her about the possibility of posting a police officer in the area while the kids come and go from school. She assured me that she would put the request in to the police department.

Now, I realize the request for getting a sign put up (especially when it then routes to a private contractor) can take time to process. But as of this morning, I have yet to see any officer monitoring car speeds in the detour near the school. I would think the officer safeguard could have been requested Friday (as promised), arranged over the weekend and implemented on Monday morning.

Am I being unrealistic considering this issue concerns child safety? I have lived here over 6 years and I can remember for at least the first 3 years (when the school zone wasn't part of a major road detour) an officer sat nearby faithfully both in the morning and afternoon. I would think this would simply take the right phone call, from the right person, to the right person to have this happen again, immediately. If anyone out there is or knows who that right person in, please, put in the good word, won't ya?

While I was on the phone with Ms. Qualls I also raised the issue that our street allows parking on one side and because of it, the detoured traffic is constantly being backed up at peak times of day. Not mention that many in the neighborhood have resorted to parking on the lawns because they are afraid of having their cars hit. She said that the question of banning the street parking during this time was discussed and decided against. The inconvenience for neighbors would be unnecessary and "they" also figured having the cars parked on the street would help force traffic to slow down. Yes, this is really what she said played into their decision.

In a way, I suppose it explains why they didn't bother with any new signs. BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY EACH CITIZEN'S CAR ON BERGAN STREET WILL ACT AS A SPEED LIMITING DEVICE.

What can I say other than... you're welcome South Bend! I'm so glad that I can help and I'll be sure to send my repair bills to the City's Engineering office, if and when it gets hit by someone speeding by.

Now, if only we could get one of these signs......

...but they probably only put those up in places where it would be true.