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To the Editor:
Beware the speed traps in the City of
Safety Harbor. No such thing exists, you say? Can't be. Not in our
fair city. Read on and see what you really think.
Have you ever noticed that some streets in
the city have higher speed limits than the city's 25 mph? These
streets are regulated by the State of Florida and the speed limits
are set using facts, sound engineering data and real world
conditions.
On the other hand, the City of Safety
Harbor's decades old 25 mph limit is based on politics and
predictions of dire consequences, the "somebody's going to get
killed" mentality.
When was the last time you actually drove
25 mph on Green Springs Drive or any of a dozen other city streets
with no homes or little development?
I realize the current city commission did
not initiate the current conditions. They can, however, remedy it
— if they have the courage to initiate a citywide,
comprehensive review of all speed limits by a qualified engineering
firm.
What with all the speed bumps going in on
Main Street, bold steps are needed citywide — both down and
up.
The alternative is to have residents
subject to stiff fines for driving in a reasonable manner over an
arbitrarily low speed limit on commuter streets. Let's be
perfectly clear, we are not talking about residential side streets.
These are streets that for the most part are devoid of homes. These
are the city's other "main" streets.
Why is it safe to drive 30 or 35 or even
40 on a city street that carries a touring route but not on other
similar city streets with similar roadside developments or
culture?
All I know is that from now on, my driving
will be confined to state roads and my shopping and dining will be
at the many stores and malls that I do not have to traverse a speed
trap to get to.
Beware, the Pinellas County Sheriff is out
doing a fine job of revenue enhancement.
John MacMillen
Safety Harbor
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