Thursday, 26 June 2008
Eagle Mtn. to drivers: Slow down Print E-mail
Donna Milakovic - NORTH COUNTY STAFF   

Eagle Mountain City officials are asking if the 25 mph speed limit on the residential streets surrounding Nolan Park is too high.

With two reported accidents in the last 12 months involving children being hit by cars on those streets, Mayor Heather Jackson is taking action. She announced at the City Council Meeting on June 17 that the situation would be studied to see if reducing the speed limit and adding additional crosswalks could increase the safety of children traveling to and from Nolan Park.

"I think residents will be pleased to have more crosswalks and better safety for their children," said Jackson in an interview on Monday.

The announcement was prompted by an accident June 14 that involved a young boy hit by a passing car.

Councilman Eric Cieslak was on site at the accident and advocates the lower speed limit and additional crosswalks.

"Every Saturday there is some sporting function at the park so from 7:30 a.m. to noon cars are parked on both sides of the street. Fortunately, the driver in the accident was a resident and was driving slow. Because of the layout and the space it was just unavoidable," said Cieslak about the accident.

City Council members discussed the boy's injuries indicating he had a broken arm and some cuts and bruises.

Jackson pointed out at the meeting that far more severe injuries could have occurred if the driver had been traveling at or above the posted speed limit.

This week Jackson said that lowering the speed limit on a residential area may not be possible because of federal regulation, but she said the city is planning to put in several more crosswalks as well as pedestrian crossing signs with flashing lights.

At present the park has pedestrian crosswalks at each corner and an additional crossing to the pavilion area across Sparrowhawk Drive.

"Kids will be kids," said Cieslak, "but if we can make the drivers more aware then we can make it safer for the children."
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Discuss (2 posts)
biledens Jun 30 2008 18:20:22
This thread discusses the Content article: Eagle Mtn. to drivers: Slow down

I don't think 25 mph is too fast. People just need to drive at that speed and pay attention. It's in the middle of a residential area with lots of kids. I live close to Nolan Park - there are always kids riding bikes/skateboards on the surrounding streets. It's a neighborhood - please pay attention! Also, please stop running stop signs! Each corner of Nolan Park is a 4-way stop and more often than not people just roll through.

A big problem with Nolan Park is that there is no place to park except the street during those community activities. So the streets are packed with cars on those days. It was poor planning for such a large park not to have any parking facilities. Poor location for the Pony Express Days carnival as well. If I drive those streets during those times I am always very nervous that a child is going to dart out from behind parked cars.

I agree the speed issue should be addressed around Nolan Park as well as enforcing other traffic rules (stop signs, etc). But I also hope some serious consideration is made to developing an alternate location for community activities where there is suitable parking facilities.
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biledens Jul 01 2008 17:28:41
To reply to myself, it does makes sense to go much slower than 25 mph down a street lined with parked cars on both sides. Car doors and kids can jump out any time. Maybe some "Slow Children Playing" signs put up would be a good idea.
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