It seems like the Boston City Council has had it up to here with bad drivers racing on our roads! According to Universal Hub, City Councilor Andrea Campbell has suggested cameras at major intersections to catch drivers in the act of blowing red lights and speeding. A ticket will be issued and then sent in the mail compliments of the City of Boston. After just five months, the city of Providence, RI, issued nearly 40,000 traffic tickets – and brought in $1.8 million in revenue from cameras catching speeders. But it also generated a federal lawsuit by drivers who said the cameras violated a state law requiring signs warning drivers of nearby cameras.
Another proposed idea? A dedicated full-time traffic enforcement BPD unit.
The City of Boston – including City Councilors Frank Baker and Ed Flynn and – has taken measures to calm traffic including lowering the speed limit from 30mph to 25mph ,adding bike lanes, speed board signs, bumping out pedestrian crosswalks and enforcement. Enforcement seems to be the most effective in slowing down motorists.
The MassDot recently announced major changes coming to Morton Street including bicycle lanes along Morton Street between West Selden Street and Gallivan Boulevard, and new and improved sidewalks. Traffic signals on Morton Street at the intersections with Norfolk Street, Evans Street, West Selden Street, and Gallivan Boulevard will also be optimized to increase efficiency and improve pedestrian travel. Along with residents, Representative Cullinane, Senator Nick Collins and former Senator Linda Dorcena Forry advocated to secure funding for road safety improvements.
Hopefully the city council can get some momentum going with these ideas to make our streets even safer because people are still speeding, not allowing pedestrians to cross and running stop signs and red lights every single day in our neighborhood!
What do you think?
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
