Speed concerns: Reckless driving along Ohio 550, 555 discussed

Sam Shawver

More than 60 Bartlett area residents met with Ohio Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Athens, at the Wesley Township Fire Hall Thursday to air their concerns about speeding and other traffic issues.

They are concerned about speeding on local township and county roadways as well as along Ohio routes 550 and 555.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Marietta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Washington County Sheriff's Office, and Ohio Department of Transportation District 10.

Phillips said her office had recently received several phone calls from township residents concerned about speeding in the area and asked those attending Thursday's session to help identify the trouble spots.

"I live on state route 555, and it seems that young people in pickup trucks just try to see how fast they can drive on that roadway," said resident Alice Delorme. "I'm concerned about the speeding and recklessness, but I'm also concerned about horses and buggies that travel in this area. I'm surprised there are not more accidents."

Diana Potter agreed.

"There are a lot of different types of vehicles on these roads, including horse-drawn buggies and horseback riders," she said. "Most people are respectful and good drivers."

But she noted that some are impatient and drive far too fast.

Barbara Hoover said speeding is especially bad along some of the area's graveled roadways.

"People drive too fast. We can't even take our grandchildren out on the roads," she said.

And local resident Lisa Richards noted the danger for area children who ride bicycles.

"I've seen people flying past our house going at least 80 mph, and the speed limit is 40 there," she said.

Others were concerned about heavy all-terrain vehicle traffic along area roads on weekends.

"These four-wheelers use the roads like a race track right through the middle of town every weekend," said Mark Klies. "People get drunk and drive the four-wheelers as fast as they can go."

Klies also noted a motorcycle traveling at least 70 mph had passed between his car and another vehicle along Ohio route 555 on Friday.

Phillips took notes as residents expressed their concerns.

"My hope is that we'll be able to talk about some solutions," she said. "I have also brought some information about ways to address speeding on local roadways, using various traffic calming measures."

The handout included suggestions like developing raised pavement areas, speed bumps, raised intersections and raised pedestrian crosswalks.

Phillips noted that other measures could also be used, including signage and enforcement, although local law enforcement resources are often limited by budget constraints.

"But you need to work with township and county officials on some of these issues, too," she said.

ODOT engineer Eric Davis said speed zone studies could be done in the area if requested by the township trustees, and noted that there is a process to help reduce speeding on gravel roadways.

"But the township trustees must first pass a resolution, then contact ODOT to begin the process," he said.

Sgt. David Garber with the Marietta Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol said 13 officers are assigned to the post and they cover 99 percent of the state highway crashes in the county.

He noted that four-wheelers are off-road vehicles and it is illegal to ride them on roadways.

"We get calls about ATVs every day, but by the time we're able to get there they're gone," Garber said. "And in order to issue a citation an officer has to witness a violation himself."

He said troopers are told not to chase ATVs because it could cause the four-wheeler to wreck, putting the operator and any passenger in jeopardy.

Garber also noted that horse-drawn buggies are required to display lights and a reflective triangular slow-moving vehicle emblem at all times. He said when buggies are traveling on highways they can be passed by car and truck traffic, even on a double yellow line, because the carriages are considered a slow-moving vehicle.

"And if the speed limit is not posted on a roadway, the limit is considered to be 55 mph," Garber added. "I would encourage the township trustees to have a study performed to set speeds, especially on local graveled roads."

Phillips said she would have her notes on the meeting organized and then would share them with those who attended." And I am more than willing to continue working with the community on these issues," she said.

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Source: http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/516157.html?nav=5002

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