■ 28 May 2010 | 5:00 AM
Shore Drive safety
'City, safety advocates divided over Shore Drive' (front page, May 23) didn't quite capture my sentiments about the Shore Drive safety issue. Let me clarify.
I am very concerned about protecting drivers and pedestrians on Shore Drive. Every city employee is. That's why we are continually investigating reasonable ways to make this busy road safer.
Obviously, Shore Drive is not the safest road in Virginia Beach. No road is perfectly safe. Among the city's major roads, Shore Drive is about average in terms of safety. While the accident rate overall does not show anything unusual, the long history of pedestrian accidents indicates that a closer look needs to be taken.
Some nearby residents support lowering the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph. I understand the emotional appeal of this approach, but there was no indication from the police reports that speed was a factor in these pedestrian accidents. Police have concluded that a contributing factor in the majority of the accidents was alcohol use.
We are conducting a pedestrian study on Shore Drive by day and by night to determine pedestrian counts and behaviors, to see how we can make the road safer. I deeply sympathize with the friends and families who have lost loved ones on Shore Drive in recent years. If it is determined that reducing the speed limit will help solve the problem, we can do it. If there is a better approach, we will do that, too. I am committed to making Shore Drive, as well as the rest of the roads in Virginia Beach, safer for everyone.
Robert K. Gey
City of Virginia Beach
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Kudos to Robert...
I am behind you 100%, especially with your 3rd paragraph.
The Study
Here's the results of the study:
1. Too many view Shore Drive as an interstate instead of the urban road that it is.
2. "Everyone" knows it is the deadliest road in the city.
3. "Everyone" is afraid to walk near it, cross it, or ride a bike on it, or near it.
4. It's location is in one of the jewels of the city - the bayfront.
5. Too many conflicts from too many things to name here.
Therefore, simple, most cost effective, biggest impact solution is change the speed limit to 35 from Marlin Bay to Cape Story[North Great Neck Road].
Slow down,and we will get there in one piece
"If it is determined that reducing the speed limit will help solve the problem, we can do it."
Today's printed edition of this LTE identified Robert as a traffic engineer. Save your study money Robert, I don't need an engineering degree to know that reducing the speed limit would help solve the problem.
Bravo!
Accidents on this stretch of road can be prevented by all who use the road:
- Motorized vehicle drivers (cars, trucks, busses, motorcycles) need to heed the posted limits and watch out for everyone else.
- Pedestrians need to watch out for vehicles using the road. Don't assume that you are seen. Don't CROSS THE ROAD DRUNK! Remember, the law of gross tonnage applies.
- Bicyclists, you need to ride on the bike paths where they exist. That's why they are there! When on the road, ride in single file at the SIDE OF THE ROAD! Obey the same traffic laws that apply to other vehicles. Remember, the law of gross tonnage applies to you too. Don't perpetuate the "Spandex Mafia" image.