Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association

WE GET LETTERS

Feb 28, 2003

Traffic Watch /
Dear Editor, Since 1995, I have tried to work with the city to provide a more pleasant, safe and neighborly environment. However, this is not the number one goal of the department of transportation (DOT) who is charged with: ?ensuring the orderly flow of traffic?. Per se, to see how many cars can be funneled through the neighborhood and how quickly they can get commuters from point ?A? to point ?B?. In two hours, a neighbor and I gathered over 300 signatures of residents petitioning the city to provide a more pleasant, safe and neighborly environment though a series of measures to help traffic proceed in a more cautious fashion. This was personally delivered to our city counsel woman, yet nothing significant has been done. It is time to take the matter into our own hands. Traffic management starts at home.
The DOT reports that the traffic in The Canyon is mainly commuter and local traffic. By driving at the posted and suggested speed limit, the yellow signs, the cars following you are forced to do the same. For example, on Entrada Drive the posted limit is 30 MPH and the suggested speed limit on turns is 20 MPH. By going 20 MPH in the suggested zones the traffic following will do the same. I urge residents to obey the posted and suggested speed thus helping commuter cross town traffic do the same. Additionally, please allow your neighbors time and space to back in and out of their driveways. Practicing this may add ninety seconds to your total drive time. All would like cautious drivers on their street, so please provide it on your neighbors?, or simply follow the golden rule: ?Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Landay