As a resident of West Columbia District 8, I know firsthand the challenges we face with traffic on our local streets. High speeds, distracted driving, and a lack of pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure can make our neighborhoods feel unsafe and uninviting.
However, there are a number of proven traffic calming measures that can help address these issues and create more livable, people-friendly streets. Here are some strategies worth considering for District 8:
Reduce Speed Limits: Many of our streets have speed limits that are simply too high for the residential character of the area. Lowering speed limits to 20-25 mph, and strictly enforcing them, can have a big impact on safety. Slower speeds give drivers more time to react and result in far less severe injuries if a collision does occur. There was recently a successful effort to reduce all speeds in the Westover Acres neighborhood.
Install Speed Humps and Raised Crosswalks: Physical traffic calming features like speed humps and raised crosswalks force drivers to slow down, making the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. These can be strategically placed at key intersections and other high-risk areas. These are commonly cited ideas to calm traffic but DOT does not like to put them in place, and they are a lot more expensive that most people realize.
Add Bike Lanes and Sharrows: Providing dedicated space for bicycles, whether through painted bike lanes or "sharrows" that indicate a shared vehicle/bike lane, encourages more people to use active transportation. This in turn helps calm traffic by introducing more "friction" on the road.
Plant Street Trees and Landscaping: Lining our streets with trees and other greenery doesn't just beautify the area - it also has a traffic calming effect. The visual narrowing of the roadway causes drivers to naturally slow down. The Brickyard Branch Watershed Association is our local native planting experts and they are a great resource.
Engage the Community: Any successful traffic calming efforts must involve close collaboration with local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. I would like to gather feedback, build consensus, and ensure the solutions reflect the community's needs and values.
Implementing a comprehensive set of these strategies can transform the streets of District 8 into safer, more livable spaces that work for all users - pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. It's time to take back our neighborhoods and create the vibrant, people-centered district we all want to live in.
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