Slower speeds for a safer Rochester

As a citizen residing in Lowertown, one of the core neighborhoods of Rochester, I see every day how the safer speeds could make my neighborhood…. well, safer.

Our mostly residential neighborhood should not have cars speeding by at 30 mph or more. While the number does not seem like a fast speed, it certainly is when you are navigating a street with parked cars, intersections at every block and people of all ages routinely walking the neighborhood. In 2018, the City of Rochester Residential survey identified the #1 public safety concern was speeding. While we are not out in front of our house very often with children because it is not safe, I shudder every time I am there with my grandkids. Not all, but many cars are speeding by (not speeding actually at this point perhaps as they are still within the so-called 5 mph "buffer"—35mph!) with little thought given as to how they might hurt or even kill another person.

If it is faster for a driver to get to their destination by traveling neighborhood streets at a higher rate of speed than using arterial routes than we must do something to change that in order to make it safe for all. The arterial streets are the streets intended and designed for commuting. Neighborhood streets set at 20 mph will make it safe for residents to reach their arterial connections with very little time added on to their trip. 

I would "challenge" you to give it a try sometime. Travel your neighborhood street at the 30 mph vs the 20 mph while truly giving thought to your reaction time if a child or pet should appear in front of you. And time yourself, does it really add a significant amount of time to your trip? Is about one minute so much to spare if it can spare a child’s well-being? Check out the city's website for statistics including this one: 

Nearly every local street in Rochester is less than 0.5 miles from a road with a proposed speed limit of 25mph or higher. The proposed 20 mph speed limits would add approximately 15-30 seconds of travel time in reaching a road with a faster speed limit. (Traveling 1/2 mile takes: 1 minute and 30 seconds at 20pmh; 1 minute and 12 seconds at 25mph, and 1 minute at 30 mph.)

I have seen comments from some folks that this can only cost more money with minimal result. This is not about enforcement—streets designed and posted with appropriate speeds will save money in the long run. Consider heavier-traveled roads at higher speeds cost more to maintain. The City can save those dollars for arterial connections which also means less construction right outside your home for road maintenance. I believe this would offset the cost of a few signs and reach the ultimate goal of less injuries and perhaps deaths.

Mary Idso, Rochester