Question 5: Speeding is a quality of life problem on many Verona streets. How would you appeal to your fellow Verona residents to get them to slow down?
Carrie Ford: Studies show that among the reasons why drivers speed is that they fail to appreciate that it is dangerous—this is deeply disturbing. Many of the residents I’ve met in recent months have expressed concern about the reckless speeding that takes place on their block, along their jogging route, in their neighborhood, or around their children’s schools. We can make our streets safer through a comprehensive program focused on public outreach, enforcement and improved engineering.
The cornerstone of the program is education: informing and educating residents about their role in the issue and the resolution. Our schools are a great starting place for community education, just as it was with other social responsibility initiatives like recycling. We can engage students of all ages to develop a town wide marketing campaign – including online videos and artwork competitions – to educate our community on the dangers of speeding and how we can all be more responsible drivers and residents. A more informed community is a more responsible community.
In addition to education, community involvement is fundamental to solving the issue of speeding throughout our town. Through existing resources, such as the Public Safety Committee, VMAC and our police department, we can explore developing a neighborhood speed watch initiative.
Additionally, no program can be effective without the oversight and guidance of the Verona Police Department. Our police play an instrumental role in addressing speeding. I support our police department in targeted surveillance/enforcement efforts and would back the department in further enforcement initiatives.
Improving road engineering is also required to fully resolve the issue. Traffic control devices, traffic calming devices, and roadway markings are all proven and reasonable measures we can take to reduce speed and encourage safer driving. We also need to involve residents in planning these measures, since they are most aware of the situations in their neighborhoods. I will make more information available and accessible to residents, including traffic studies and recommendations.
In the same way I approach any challenge, I am committed to common sense solutions that will make our streets safer for all residents. In order to appeal to the community we must engage the community. The more people are invested in the solution the more likely it will succeed and bring about meaningful change.
