Radar signs not slowing down traffic, parents fear for kids safety


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HIGHLAND — Two-speed check signs went up a month ago on Light House Drive in Highland. But neighbors said they have done little to slow down most drivers, and they've seen teenage drivers accelerating past, racing past the radar as a game.

The Beacon Hill neighborhood is a family neighborhood with 40-to-50 kids residing within just two blocks. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. Neighbors said drivers go way too fast.

"It makes me nervous," said resident Elizabeth Evans. A developer installed the signs to calm traffic because 60 more homes are going in up the street. "The sign is just kind of fun, but it doesn't do anything," said resident Sara Abbott.

"With some teenage drivers, I think it's caused the opposite problem," said Evans. They have seen teens using the sign for a speed check. Tuesday night while walking with her kids Evans saw what looked like a bad game. "A car was revving their engine and picking up speed and then someone was hanging out the window with a cell phone to see how fast they were going," Evans said. The radar read 45 mph, nearly doubling the speed limit.

As a mother of four, Evans is concerned a child or a young driver will get hurt. "They just need to be aware that it's a dangerous game," she said.

According to Zero Fatalities, speed matters when a car hits a person. Nine out of 10 pedestrians survive a crash at 20 miles per hour. At 30 miles per hour, half the pedestrians survive a crash. But at 40 miles per hour, only one out of 10 pedestrians survive.

Highland City had not heard about the teens racing past the radar sign and plans immediate action.

"(We'll) send out extra patrols to that area to see if we can determine whether or not that truly is happening," said Erin Wells, assistant to the Highland City administrator.

"It's detrimental to all parties if something were to happen," Evans said.

Zero Fatalities sponsors Parents Nights around the community geared at helping parents and new teen drivers. The presentation reviews the risks associated with driving aggressive and the other deadly behaviors. http://ut.zerofatalities.com/dont-drive-stupid/

March

March 20, 7:00 p.m.: Ogden High Parent Night

March 22, 5:30 p.m.: Lone Peak Parent Night

April

April 3, 7:00 p.m.: Bingham High Parent Night

April 5, 6:00 p.m.: Granger High Parent Night

April 12, 6:00 p.m.: Westlake High Parent Night

April 12, 6:00 p.m.: Bonneville High Parent Night

April 13, 7:00 p.m.: Maple Mountain High Parent Night

April 18, 6:00 p.m.: Roy High Parent Night

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Erin Goff

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