Our neighborhood streets need the help of the University family - students, faculty and staff - to maintain a safe environment for all who travel them. It is apparent that we are becoming more and more a society of distracted drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians due in part to the plethora of electronic devices that vie for our attention and in part to our preoccupation with getting from point A to point B as rapidly as possible. The streets in the extended University neighborhood have been particularly impacted. Their narrowness, the density of the area and the increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow create the perfect storm for drivers, bike riders and walkers who are not safe, careful and attentive.
We call to your attention especially to the city portion of Old Lynchburg Road between Jefferson Park Avenue and Azalea Park, which is traveled daily by many people going to and from the University. This stretch of road has five blind curves and more then forty driveway entrances. The sight-lines and shoulders are minimal at best and nonexistent in many places. There are no curbs or sidewalks. Children and adults regularly walk along the street literally within inches of speeding cars, buses, trucks and bicycles. School buses, trash trucks and delivery vehicles frequently stop on the street. Accidents have occurred. A toddler was killed by a car a few years ago, and this past summer another child was hit and severely injured. Last year two University students had their vehicles hit as they tried to leave their driveways safely.
We ask for the help of the University family as well as drivers of vehicles who serve them to remain alert to the fact that families live on our residential street with children and pets. We ask for your help in keeping your vehicle's speed within the posted safe speed limit. We ask for your awareness that you share these streets with pedestrians who travel many times without sidewalks seeking to get to classes, bus stops and work sites in a safe manner. Thank you for helping us all be good neighbors together.
Jeanne and Phil Chase
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