Traffic, speeding and parking

Spring is here, and before we know it, school will be out for the summer break. With that in mind, I would like to address a major issue that has been getting some attention lately. 

Recently, the City Council has been considering some options available to help with traffic flow in our city. Homewood currently has 25,000 residents — at night. But during the day, our city grows to nearly 250,000 people. The city of Homewood requested a traffic study along Oxmoor Road, and the results were interesting to say the least. 

Among many findings were several options and suggestions including the removal of some traffic lights on Oxmoor Road, particularly in the Edgewood area. I am no traffic expert, but the suggestion to remove some traffic lights has made me a little nervous. It might turn out to be the best option, but before we interrupted a retail shopping district, two large churches, Dawson and Trinity, and Edgewood Elementary, I think the council acted very wisely in asking for more input before making a final decision. I know for a fact they only want to better traffic flow and certainly want you, our neighbors, to be happy with the decisions made. 

Another contributing factor and a major complaint among residents and businesses is speeding. I have mentioned in previous articles about the city getting stricter on speeding in our neighborhoods, especially with summer approaching and more and more children playing outside. With that being said, please note the Homewood Police Department will be out in full force on motorcycles and in patrol cars pulling over those who can’t abide by the speed limit. 

We don’t enjoy giving tickets, but if it saves someone from getting hurt or worse, then that is what will have to be done. I have heard from many of you in support of this, and many of you have called requesting an officer to come sit on your street to monitor traffic. 

Many of you have started parking cars along your streets, making it difficult for cars to maneuver down your street trying to slow down motorists. But it also causes great difficulty with our fire trucks and causes a dangerous sight distance problem if a child steps from between a vehicle into the street. There’s just no reaction time if that happens. 

Homewood has always been a community of people who genuinely care for each other. By slowing down, walking on sidewalks when available and limiting the amount of vehicles parked on the street when possible, it makes it safer for everyone involved and shows the care and concern I know we all have for each other.