Traffic Calming:  A simple solution

We’re all guilty… whether we are running late, mind brimming with too many things to do or just not really paying attention because you’re singing along to your favorite tune on the radio.

Speeding through town has turned into a real issue: the trucks are going so fast on Route 44 along the village green, there is no way they can stop for a crossing pedestrian at the library crosswalk.  Studies can be done, special equipment can be bought, at great expense, to post travelers speed — but do they really slow people down?

Here is an easy plan that costs our town nothing. If each of us pledges to travel the speed limit on our roads, it will automatically slow down the rest of the traffic.

If you think about it, most likely there is one of us on the road, during the busy traffic hours of the day.  So if we can just stop and think about our speed each time we get in our cars, I think we would see a change in the traffic in a very short order.

It will take some time to train ourselves. I have been doing so myself to see what the difference is, and there are several things that will surprise you.

First, you actually get where you’re going in just about the same amount of time, and as an added bonus you get to enjoy things you would otherwise miss—a beautiful wildflower or bird along the side of the road.  It could also save the life of someone’s family pet that has run into the road.

I hope you will join me! The Economic Development Commission is backing the idea whole heartedly and will be handing out bumper stickers at the Farmers Market to all those willing to take up this cause and slow life down for just a moment in our beautiful historic town.

—Barry Webber