INFORMATION #4 09-17-2001,,Sandy Peine
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Beahen, Jeff ribeahen@police.ci.elk-river, mn.us]
Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:20 PM
'cityclerk@ci.elk-river. mn. us'
FW: Requests
> ..... Original Message .....
> From: Beahen, Jeff
> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:11 PM
> To: 'Janet.Cardinal@reliastar.com,
> Cc: Zerwas, Tom; 'citycleark@ci.elk-river.mn.us'
Subject: Requests
I was given your e-mail message regarding two requests for traffic control
devices.
The first, a request for a speed limit sign on Twin Lakes Road (County
Road 13) can not be handled through the City. This ts a county road and
all requests for additional signs or speed limit issues have to be
directed to Sherburne County. I would suggest the Highway Department or
County Engineer as a starting point.
The second, a request for a "Children Playing" sign on Tyler Street. That
request needs to be made to Phil Hals, the Street Department Head for the
City of Elk River. He is in charge of installing signs on our streets and
would handle that request.
I agree with your basic philosophy on signs, but disagree on the end
result. Caution signs such as the one you. request have been proven to be
very ineffective. Numerous studies have been done by such facilities as
the Traffic Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois, and
the National Traffic Safety Board in Washington. Signs are not the answer.
As you observe, speed limit signs are not obeyed - yet we put them up
anyway. Here lies the difference. If someone disobeys a caution sign,
there are no statutory provisions that allow the driver to be stopped and
tagged. A speeder on the other hand who disobeys a speed sign can be
stopped and cited - a proven method to deterring a future violation by
that particular offender.
The three proven effective methods of deterring violations are in fact;
EDUCATION, ENGINEERING and ENFORCEMENT. While signs are included in
engineering, caution signs are generally not accepted as a viable method
of preventing violations from taking place.
I don't believe that the City installed the Duck Warning Sign, but I will
confirm this with Mr. Hals. Those types of signs are normally paid for and
installed by concerned citizens - not the city.
I can't suggest any engineering changes, education seems unlikely as a
venue that would work, but I can promise you that enforcement will be
increased in the area. I have assigned directed enforcement projects in
the area over the next several weeks.
I have requested that the City Clerk forward the remaining portion of your
request to the Mayor and two specific council members referred to in the
final paragraph.
Please contact me if you have any additional concerns or questions
concerning your concerns on vehicle speed and traffic in your area.
Sincerely,
> Jeffrey Beahen
> Assistant Chief of Police
> 441-2954