[ back ]
Residents along detour concerned over speeding
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - July 09, 2012)
Residents along detour concerned over speeding
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Counters, speed trailers and extra police patrols have been put in place by Munson Township Trustees in an effort to control traffic being detoured by the closing of Auburn Road.
The efforts are in response to complaints from residents along detour routes. Auburn Road, one of the main north-south routes through the township, is scheduled to remain closed until the end of summer as the Geauga County Engineer's Office replaces a bridge at Sherman Road, which is being realigned.
Fowlers Mill Road resident Robert Voss expressed concerns to trustees last week. "The traffic is unbelievable, not just in volume but also the speed," he said. Where he lives, the road is designated as a 35 mph zone, but he estimated that vehicles are traveling at 50 mph or faster.
Mr. Voss said he's not interested in having speeding tickets handed out, but he just wants drivers to slow down through the area. He said township officials have been responsive to his concerns, but he hopes more could be done.
A speed trailer was set up, he said, but it was put in another stretch where the speed limit is 45 mph. He asked whether it could moved to the 35 mph zone.
Geauga County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Weber said the trailer would not function properly in the 35 mph zone, because of the hilly nature of the area. He said the machine needs a clear line of sight to provide accurate readings.
He said sheriff's deputies and troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol have provided added patrols.
But Mr. Weber added that the sheriff's department follows a national standard of not citing drivers for going less than 15 mph over the speed limit. He said attempting to cite them for less than that leaves the department open to challenges in court.
Fowlers Mill Road resident Robert Marn questioned the policy, saying it means motorists can do 60 mph without repercussions in an area where children ride their bicycles.
Mr. Voss asked whether deputies could position themselves along the 35 mph area.
Mr. Weber said, because of the hills, it would be difficult for police to pull out from a driveway safely. "I also don't want to get killed pulling into traffic," he said.
Mr. Weber said the sheriff's department has made efforts to put added patrols on the road, despite being short staffed at this time.
[ back ]
