Long-time residents along SW 80 St. east of US-1 in South Miami are being forced face the realities of speeding in their neighborhood – and how it has become a clear and present danger to pedestrians, bicyclists, and their children.
Add to that the relentless noise associated with the fast-moving traffic – and the general stress put upon homeowners facing this thoroughfare. It’s no wonder folks in this formerly idyllic neighborhood are starting to refer to 80th Street as “80th Street Speedway.”
Take a cruise, like I did the other day, down 80th, between US-1 and Red Road (SW 57th), and you’ll see what I mean. It becomes all too apparent why commuters feel compelled to drive over the posted speed limit. Way over 30 mph.
This busy strip becomes an absolute free for all – because the ample set backs and wide-open feel this roadway presents seem to conspire to subconsciously persuade drivers to step hard on the gas.
It’s a strange phenomenon, but a proven fact. The wider the street, the greater the urge to go fast. The more narrow the street the slower a driver will go.
And I’m not pointing blame but it turns out, most residential speeders live near the area of the offense, which means they travel along those streets on a regular basis.
Did you know, on familiar routes to work, schools, and shopping – known as “autopilot journeys” – studies show that half the drivers out are actually “inattentive,” meaning they have no recollection of how they got to their destination – let along that they were speeding to get there.
I’m no traffic engineer but there are ways to slow drivers, starting with petitioning your local government to deploy traffic-calming techniques, like radar speed signs that can directly combats inattention. Or maybe take a serious look at speed humps or chicanes – although some of these devices can be problematic for emergency responders.
But there has to be discussion, so start talking! And start moving toward a resolution to address the rising concerns around the “80th Street Speedway,” before it’s too late.
I have lived on 80th St. for over 2 decades. It has been an ongoing “Nightmare on 80th St.”. There has been an increased police presence, an lots of tickets issued. A special thank you to Officer Napier. He is always working and not hanging out at any cafecito outlet. Mr. Miller wrote a fine article on a problem that has never received the sustained, ongoing attention that it desperately needs. However, I do think that he is much to soft on the wild and reckless speed demons and human vermin that abuse the neighborhood from there drivers’ seats!I remember when a five year old child was hit by a car years ago. I also witnessed a bicycle rider get hit by a car during rush hour, and ran out to assist him. Over the the years I have seen many dead animals in the street. I have to call the county for pickup and sometimes it takes way too long. The smell is nauseating and the sight is both heartbreaking and horrendous. Once I saw a kitten get run over and when I attempted to get it out of the roadway, another driver ran over it again! As an animal lover I have a big problem with people who are so callous as to ignore poor animals that are on the road. It will be very interesting to see how all the rich people react to the horrible quality of life that they will have to suffer when they move into their ginormous, high priced new houses.The first one that was built not too many years ago, is now up for sale. We will be seeing more of the same unless the rich residents have enough clout to force some major improvements. There should be many signs warning people to slow down for animals. South Miami may have the right to post such signs alongside Fuchs Park since it belongs to us. Since the road is a County road we must have the cooperation of the County for many more improvements.
Overbuilding on the area around the 80th street, the snake-speed on US1 and Rd Road … add to that plenty of schools which grow and grow and add (e.g. Epiphany …!) These are the reasons that drivers get upset, stressed and aggressive. Hence, once the road is free the tendency is to press on the gas.
Police? WOW? Where? Most are engaged in everything else than traffic. E.G. intersection of Sunset and US1 at rush-hour traffic. The police cars parket and the policemen get a free cafecito at the nearby latin cafe!
And on top of that add the completely un-coordinated trafic lights!
IF want to start from somewhere, start from the traffic lights allowing 45sec of green-light traffic on 80th and US1 E-W directions. Speed bumps at stop-and-go want work