Reducing Neighborhood Speeders | Public Works & Utilities

Public Works & Utilities >> Traffic Division >> Neighborhood Traffic Safety

What Can Be Done About Neighborhood Speeders?

Our Radar Trailer can help neighborhoods remind speeders to slow down.

You can make a difference by:

Always driving 25 MPH or less in residential areas.
Avoiding using local streets as shortcuts.

Neighborhoods and Law Enforcement can make a difference by:

1. Working in groups to combat the problem. The most effective way of reducing a speeding problem is through selective enforcement--working with the Sheriff's Office on traffic infractions in your area. You can reach the neighborhood patrol deputy by phone at (253) 798-4840.

2. Reporting incidents. Prepare to give Sheriff's deputies as much information as possible:

Vehicle description.
License number.
Day and time speeding most often occurs.
Location--road and cross road information.

How to access the Radar Trailer

You can request the radar trailer be set up in your neighborhood by calling (253) 798-4840. The radar trailer, which is set up by the Sheriff's department, provides a visual reminder to drivers just how fast they are driving compared to the legal posted speed limit.

What about Speed Humps and Traffic Circles?

Pierce County established a Traffic Calming Pilot Program in 2005, to evaluate the effectiveness of speed humps as a method of traffic calming on local roads. Two neighborhoods were initially selected for installation of temporary speed humps. These speed humps were installed in 2006.

In the months following their installation, the overall effectiveness as well as the public's receptiveness was evaluated by way of before and after speed/volume studies and neighborhood surveys. These results were provided to the County Council for further direction. Subsequently, permanent speed humps replaced the temporary humps in these two neighborhoods in 2007. In 2008, two more neighborhoods were selected for the Traffic Calming Pilot Program and were fitted with several speed humps.

In addition to the speed humps, the County also installed 12 driver feedback signs on arterial roads as a part of the Pilot Program. The effectiveness of these electronic signs in slowing arterial traffic has been mixed, primarily due to equipment reliability issues.

Currently, new installations of speed humps and driver feedback signs are on hold due to funding constraints within the County. Revenues to the County for transportation improvements have decreased while needs for new traffic signals, additional roadway capacity, and bridge reconstruction continue.

In the meantime, the use of the Neighborhood Speed Watch Program (radar trailer) and Neighborhood Entry signs continue to be available.

What about Children at Play Signs?

Why We Don't Install 'Children at Play' Signs

Parents often request 'Children at Play' warning signs to urge motorists to drive cautiously. However, traffic studies show that 'Children at Play' warning signs don't reduce vehicle speeds, nor reduce pedestrian accidents.

In fact, 'Children at Play' signs can increase the potential for accidents by giving a false sense of protection to children and parents which cannot be guaranteed.

For these reasons, national traffic standards, such as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), don't recognize such warning signs and discourage their use. Our department doesn't want to encourage children to play within the roadway--which is intended exclusively for the use of vehicles.

Additionally, to maintain consistency we would have to post the signs in so many locations throughout the county that they would cease to command the attention or respect of drivers.

'Neighborhood Entry' Signs Can Be Used

To help increase driver awareness, and to reinforce a neighborhood's concern that drivers comply with the residential speed limit, 'Neighborhood Entry' signs may be placed at entrances to, and at key locations within, a neighborhood.

'Neighborhood Entry' signs must be approved by the County Engineer. Neighborhood groups or individuals are responsible for all costs associated with manufacturing, installing, and maintaining the signs. To have the County Engineer consider your neighborhood, request the 'Neighborhood Entry' Sign request form.

What Parents Can Do To Protect Their Children

We hope that you, as parents, will educate your children about the dangers of traffic.

Teach them to stop and look both ways before crossing a street.
Warn them not to play in the streets or to dart into traffic to retrieve a toy.
Encourage them to conduct their activities away from the roadway environment.
Don't install sports equipment that uses the roadway as the playfield.

Some neighborhoods have worked together to build playground areas that give children a place to play that is safely removed from the vicinity of traffic.

<< Back: Speeding . . . a Major Neighborhood Concern