OUR VIEW: Good efforts being made

Staff Editorial
Published: July 24, 2008

» SUMMARY: We’re happy to see radar patrols and the addition of stop signs along two dangerous residential roads in town.

For one day a year, going fast on Blue Ridge Avenue is something to be celebrated. But on the other 364 — when Soap Box Derby cars aren’t racing down the hill in hopes of advancing to the world championships — the need for speed often makes the downtown side road a more dangerous place.

Responding to residents’ concerns, the town police recently stepped up enforcement on Blue Ridge Avenue, a thoroughfare for young people who play at Yowell Meadow Park. Interestingly, the average speed they clocked while doing radar patrols was 28 mph, a mere 3 mph greater than the speed limit.

If every driver were that careful all the time, there would be few problems. But ask anyone who lives downtown, and they’ll tell you that drivers have a tendency to gun it when the cops aren’t watching. Perhaps with the knowledge that police officers are making their presence known on downtown roads, motorists will think twice before driving aggressively.

Blue Ridge Avenue isn’t the only Culpeper street facing dangerous traffic. With so many families living in houses along Virginia Avenue, there is an increasing need to promote safety on that busy road as well.

At least one neighborhood resident has suggested the speed limit on parts of Virginia Avenue be reduced from 25 mph to 15 mph. While we believe that to be a bit extreme, we do recognize that the horseshoe-shaped artery has quickly become a favorite spot for drivers to act like they’re in the Indy 500.

It’s a recipe for disaster that, hopefully, will be quelled somewhat with the town’s recent addition of six stop signs. While the signage won’t solve all of the problems, it should help slow traffic and encourage drivers to spend extra time looking for children.