Stop Sign Issue

Posted in: St Andrews
Some residents along St. Andrews Dr. are concerned for the safety of their children and grandchildren because they have noticed an unacceptable frequency of pets and squirrels being run over on St. Andrews Dr. where their children ride their bikes and scooters. What?’s the connection between crushed squirrels and their children - the same risk of danger from car drivers.

So what should we do? We can change our driving and the environment. Some residents propose a stop sign to slow traffic. This seems to be low cost, but it would annoy residents approaching the sign, and eventually be ignored. For proof, think of the worthless stop sign at the intersection of Inverness and Tantallon. Who stops there? Expert opinion indicates that stop signs without an obvious value become ineffective. So what else? Here?’s my thoughts to start the discussion. First, parents must supervise their kids who have not learned about street safety and they need to keep their yards friendly so drivers?’ periphery will not be obstructed by bushes, bulky mailboxes, parked cars, and large signs. Second, kids need to make street safety a habit and not play on St. Andrews Dr. or Tantallon. Third, residents should get to know the children along St. Andrews Dr. who play in the street so we will keep their safety better in mind. Fourth, we need to add five minutes to our estimated driving times to get through the neighborhood to eliminate the urge to speed. Some of us might also consider driving along Tantallon and St. Andrews in first gear until we are confident our cars have been trained to drive slower. Fifth, we can find a place the kids will prefer over the streets and a way for them to safely get there.

As to the fifth idea, we have a brand new park and the Supervisors have just approved a design architect. How about having the County as part of its park development construct bicycle and pedestrian capable sidewalks between St. Andrews and the Park, and putting something out there for the skateboarders and bicyclers?


By Al Pettigrew
Stop Sign @ Tantallon/St.Andrews

I agree with Al Pettigrew about the doubtful value of this proposed stop sigh.
As it now, almost no one stops at the existing stop signs in St. Andrews. The problem is not the lack of stop signs - the problem is a lack of enforcement of the traffic laws. Until there is more of a presence of Sheriff's deputies here, the situation will not improve.
If St. Andrews residents would call the sheriff and complain to him about the traffic situation here, I believe they would soon see more patrol cars out here . Remember, this is an election year, and impressing upon the sheriff our dissatisfaction with the current state of law enforcement here might get some quick and beneficial results.

By Jim Lester
Guineas

A flock of Guinea birds at the Fountaine Bleau Fire Department slow down traffic. A flock of pet birds along St. Andrews might work.
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  • 6corinne
  • Respected Neighbor
  • Ocean Springs, MS
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St Andrews & Tantallion

Agree with all you said, but have two additions. First pets should not be running free where they are hit by cars. Second, the sign and bush on the south side (center median) of the St. Andrews & Tantallion corner make it very difficult to see cars coming up when turning left onto Tantallion
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