Description

Dangerous 4 way stop located at 50th Ave. N and 19th St.

I recently saw a car driving westbound at a speed of 45+ pass a car also pulling up the 4 way stop heading westbound. The speeding car passed in the intersection at the same time an SUV was on 50th heading in the opposite direction. The speeding car just barely missed hitting the SUV head on. To make the situation even scarier, within the next 10 minutes I saw a male on a go-cart with a young girl (@ 5 years old) go through the same intersection coming from the north side of the 4 way stop. If the speeding vehicle would have passed the car on 50thAve. At that time, they would have ran over and most likely killed the child and the adult in the go-cart. Granted, the go-cart most likely shouldn't have been on the street but dying shouldn’t be an outcome for something worthy of a citation. But it could have just as likely been some kids riding their bikes from Sexton Elementary school or parents with strollers and people with pets. Not to mention our community pets and their young.

I've witnessed on several occasions a car traveling at a high rate of speed from 16th towards 19th almost hit a resident pulling out of their driveway. On another occurrence a speeding car was heading from 16th to 19th, run the stop sign and drive up into the yard of the house on the corner because a vehicle was in the street backing into their driveway. The examples are endless. It appears that some drivers are timing their cars from 0-60 or how long to get from 19th St. to 16th St.. Some drivers think they are Vin Diesel or Paul Walker.(Michelle Rodriguez for the females). If you get the reference, you know what happened to Paul Walker. (shame) Unfortunately, people die every day in car accidents, but it would be nice if it wasn’t in my neighborhood or one of my neighbors.

I was told that a “future sidewalk” would run along the east side of 19th Street between 39th and 52nd Avenues N. and that would help crossing traffic. I do not believe the sidewalk that will address this issue regarding running the stop sign. Regardless, that is in the future and something has to change now before someone gets killed or seriously injured.

Ideas/Solutions
Intersection could be designated as a school zone due to number of children crossing and speeding fines could be doubled; flashing beacons; “Pedestrian Crossing Ahead” sign; “School Crossing” sign; “Stop Ahead” sign; “STOP AHEAD” painted on the road; speed limit painted on the road; or Safety Bump Rumble strips. If we could go really big, widen the road just a bit, make the curbs a hard curb so you can’t drive up into residents’ yards and put in a median with trees, plants and lights.

Between the speeding traffic and cars running the stop sign, I don't understand why SPPD is not sitting and writing tickets. It would be a HUGE stream of revenue for the city. At least until the people who do not live in the neighborhood stop using 54th Ave N. as an alternative route.