Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Wednesday, August 28, 2002 |
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Golfview traffic changes contribute to overall safety As a longtime resident of the Golfview Drive area, I have to disagree with Susan Stromvall [The Citizen, Aug. 14]. Ms. Stromvall states that city council members disregarded a safety concern when installing stop signs on Golfview Drive. However, she should consider several inconsistencies in her argument before making such an accusation. Ms. Stromvall points out that the distance from [Fire] Station 82 on Peachtree Parkway to the intersection of Golfview Drive and Bluesmoke Trail is 1.4 miles. She states that this is getting close to the 5-minute response time distance. Allow me to point out that the new traffic measures do nothing to increase this distance. The driving time around Golfview Drive, assuming all stop signs and speed limits are always obeyed and allowing for even slower speeds at the speed bumps, is increased by slightly less than a minute. To an ambulance these measures would not apply, meaning response time would be diminished by mere seconds for an ambulance either going over speed bumps or choosing the far side of Golfview (which is not significantly longer and is devoid of all speed bumps). She should also consider that, for many residents of Kedron Village, Station 84 at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Crabapple Lane could easily have a 5-minute response time. Ms. Stromvall's letter was based on the premise that safety is being compromised by the new traffic restrictions. On the contrary! We used to live at the base of "Thrill Hill" and now live off the turn at the base of this hill. While sitting on Golfview Drive waiting to turn left onto Pine Mount, my sister, then 16 years old, was nearly hit from behind by a vehicle coming over the hill. Fortunately for her, the driver (NOT a thrill seeker but an average father with his son) was able to avoid hitting her by cutting through the yard of our former residence and hitting an electrical box (thankfully, nobody was hurt). Residents on all parts of Golfview Drive can recount numerous anecdotes of this nature. While I respect the safety of those living in the Kedron neighborhoods, these residents need to allow members of our neighborhood to walk our dogs, check our mail, enjoy our front yards, and walk to a school bus stop without fearing for our lives. While the loss of any response time is regrettable, a safer street is certainly preferable. The fire chief's statements to city council did not fall on deaf ears. Instead, these words were heard and valued by representatives who were able to see both sides of the issue. We need faster response times, but we really need fewer accidents and near misses, especially for those of us that have no choice but to drive some section of Golfview Drive every time we leave home. I agree that the slower speed limits, etc., are frustrating, and 20 mph is perhaps a bit overboard. There is no simple solution that will satisfy everyone affected by these new traffic measures. Until then, however, I will accept the loss of a few minutes of each day if it means increased safety of ALL users of Golfview Drive. Janice Ketsche Peachtree City
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