Speeding on Vestals Gap!

Like many of our neighbors, we were playing in our front yard with our son. The only part we don't like about our location is the fact that we are on a well traveled street. As new parents, we are very concerned that our son will happily run down the driveway and on to the street before we can get to him. We noticed that cars this weekend were going a bit faster. Maybe its the weather not sure - don't really care.

Please slow down!!

 

Here here! We are in the Courtyards section. As for our little guy the rule is no street ever unless you are holding a grown-ups hand. Of course this turned comical this morning when he yelled "No No!" at a neighbor who was sweeping the street in front of her house.

On a more serious note though I did hear recently that a kindergartener in our area was hit by a speeding car and killed right in front of his home. Terrifying, sad and unnecessary.

 

in Regency (off waxpool by MCI)a six year old was hit when he ran out into the road after a ball. the car that struck him was backing out of her driveway and was also a mother of a young child (who was also in the car) The Police have said speed was not a factor. It was a tragic accident. That said, speed in our neighborhood is a problem. I stood in front of a PeaPod delivery truck and made him stop so I could give him the what for, but many of the speeders I see have their own children in the car. That's sad.

 

One of the main reasons I moved from our SFH in Herndon to Broadlands was to buy a lot in a cul-du-sac. At our end of the Court cars travel at around 10-15mph. Our kids play in and out in the street with their friends. If a car comes along, one of the watching parents yells "CAR!" and the kids dash to the safety of the sidewalk. Our old house was on a larger lot but on a main throughfare in the neighborhood (like Vestals Gap). The speeding traffic from the adjacent High School and residents was so bad we (the HOA Board) tried to initiated a traffic calming study by Fairfax County DOT. It never happened because we could not get required 2/3rds of the community to sign the study petition. It was a nice house with lots of potential but living in a community that didn't care enough about kids safety sucked.

Its a shame that parents of young children like myself can only find safe streets at the end of cul-du-sacs and pipe-stems. Often times you'll pay a 10-15k premium for that lot location. Developers try to design residential streets with curves and dead ends to reduce traffic speeds. Problem is buyers tend to prefer rectangular lots. As a result, you'll find through streets with straight sections like Vestals Gap. A traffic planner told me that drivers perceive straight sections as being safer to speed since they can see potential hazards farther away.

I doubt angry/polite request to please slow down will yield results. Do not risk your own safety by attempting to confront speeding motorist. All of these techniques failed in my neighborhood (especially with teen drivers). I would recommend contacting the Loudoun County Dept of Transportation to see if they have a "Traffic Calming" program. In Fairfax County I saw speed bumps, additional stop signs, one way streets, etc. implemented to successfully reduce residential street traffic speeds.

 

When did kids playing in the street become the norm? Streets are for cars and yards are for kids -- the two, cars and kids don't mix very well. Isn't it a parent's responsibility to keep their kids out of the street just as it's the driver's responsibility to keep out of the yards. I'm not talking about cul-du-sacs here but through streets.

I remember my parents teaching me not to play in the streets, so why is that different today? It didn't take me very long to understand the consequences when my mother or father hauled my butt into the house if I played in the street. If you love your kids and want to keep them safe, letting them play in a through street is not the way to express your love. And, if you think the traffic is going too fast on your through street, that's all the more reason to keep your kids out of the street.--DUH!

I'm sorry, but it seems the blame and responsibility is being pushed onto strangers when it's the parent's responsibility to watch their kids, and teach them right and wrong.

 

It's tragic when you hear a child being killed by a motorist. But I heard many times where the fault was the child and not the driver. Heard too many times where a child ran into the street of an oncoming car and the driver was not able to stop in time and was not speeding. It's the parent's responsibilty to keep an eye on their child. Worst is a kidnapping. I have heard small children wondering around our area without a parent. Can't say at what age a child can be by themselves but I put the responsibility on the parents. If your child does not understand the dangers in his/her surroundings, then it's best to be with them.

As for speeding, I would contact the sheriffs department and log a complaint. But have proof that cars are indeed speeding. Then maybe they'll post a speed trap. I used to see speed traps on Clairborne Parkway in front of Hillside Elem but haven't in the past year. I would not like to have speed bumps all over our neighborhood. Also if you have teenagers in your family, make sure they understand the importance of not speeding. I've seen alot of teens acting like they're in the Fast and Furious movie.

We have playgrounds for kids. Streets are meant for cars. Even bikers should be cautious. I always give the right away to cars cause they'll do more damage to me

-Teak

 

Yes, teaching our children to be cautious is a must. However, the speeding in this community is becoming a major issue in my opinion. I am not talking about the 5 mile variety either. Ex: This morning a teenager in a black jeep (I am seriously contemplating looking in the neighborhood for it so I can to talk to her parents) was doing EASILY 60+ down Claiborne. This is ridiculous for our community. And, it is not the "outsiders" doing the speeding, it is our own neighbors. I for one will not hesitate to voice my opinion to ANY neighbor who is driving like a nut! (fortunately, I am not a small man ) Save it for the Greenway!

 

I'm glad that most of the families around here seem especially fertile. I see them let their kids run around out into the streets and let them roam the grocery store on their own. Have we not heard about all the bad things that can happen to kids -- I think that they just assume they can make more....

My hope is that parents would have a little common sense AND that people obey the speed limits.

By the way, we were driving over to Southern Walk to visit friends on Sunday. I was going 5 MPH down a side street when I noticed a kid on a trike rolling down the driveway. She must not have been even 3 y/o. She rolled right out into the street and stopped in the middle of the road. I stopped well away from her, got out of my car, walked over the "mother" (in name only since she obviously has no concern for her child) and told her. She said that she was on the phone gabbing and just did not see it at all! She practically laughed her butt off! Ah, I am so glad that any person can have a child! We should at least require a license like we do for getting a dog.

 

I was waiting for the "parent's responsibility" response.

A parent should have taught their daughter how to drive and use common sense in a residential area. Next time I'll get her plate number or maybe a nice little video clip and post it here. A little tar and feathering might go a long way before getting Loudoun County involved. Save it for the track - if someone's kid has a speed itch, take them to Summit Point or 75/80 dragway.

YES it is our responsiblity to teach our kids right from wrong and how to be safe, no doubt, no question. BUT here in the real world, while running around the front yard, being chased by mommy & daddy, a very young child may accidentally step off the curb - no one's fault but it happens. Our son is 20 months old and doesn't quite have that whole learning thing down, so I'm going to cut him some slack for another week or so, then I'll start the shock therapy until he understands.

On a lighter note: Where should kids play "street" hockey? [] Where can kids do spin outs with their big wheel (Do they still make big wheel pedal cars for kids)? Don't say the sidewalk, not enough room to get a good slide.

 

I use Broadlands Blvd to do my test and tuning

School parking lot or blacktop.

-Teak

 

It is the parents responsibility to keep their children safe. In the case of the 6 yr old, where were the parents? The child was too young to be playing outside without parent supervision. If parents were there, they should have been close enough to prevent the child from running out in the street. Common sense. It is tragic when we hear of an innocent child being killed, but in more than 50% of the cases, it could have been prevented had the parents been doing their job.

 

Here we go again profiling against teen age drivers. As a retired DC police officer the majority of speeding vehicles that I have observed are adults not teens. As for the person that is chasing down the speeding vehicle (mod edit). You would only do that one time in DC and you would not ever have to worry about speeders again. And I know this is not DC but the last time I checked they have yet to build a wall around the city. So we do have the crazies around her to.

 

It was nice to see Loudoun County sheriffs on Claiborne this morning. They were here during the school zone times for Hillside and I saw 2 people get pulled over. Hopefully their presence will be more frequent.

 

I agree, the majority of speeders I see are not teens they are adults.

 

cleansweep - in my post I never said I was going to chase down the speeding vehicle. I was considering looking for it parked on the road and then approaching the persons parents. And how is mentioning ONE teenager profiling? As a retired Officer, I would hope that you would not try not to "interpret" so much into a simple forum posting!!!

 

T8erman - Did that black jeep have a brown soft top?? I was turning onto Claiborne from Vestals Gap this morning and one flew by me going at LEAST 55-60. Grrr!!

 

I've seen residential speed limit signs in the region with a tag beneath that reads "Fines doubled for speeding". It certainly got my attention and I'm sure any reasonable person would respect it, too. What might be involved in getting those kind of speed limit signs?

 

Was the teenager you saw driving a older black Jeep Cherokee? If so, that MAY have been the jeep that is parked at a house at the end of Inglewood Ct. When the parents of kids playing out front see it coming down our court we yell "CAR!" extra loud.

Although its true that the residential street speeders are not only teenagers but adults as well, statistically, the teenage drivers age group is the least experience and most likely to be involved in fatal car accidents. The insurance industry knows this and charges accordingly. However, unlike adults, teens who live at home can have their driving behavior influenced by responsible parents.

I believe in the "It takes a village" approach child rearing. That means if someone in the community sees my kid breaking the law or rules, I want to know about it. Conversely, if I witness someone elses kid breaking the law or rules then I'm going to tell the kid what they did wrong if I have the opportunity. If they persist I'll seek out their parents. Some may say a childs behavior is ONLY the responsibility of its parent. I disagree since if you do not attempt to improve incorrect behavior early, that child may eventually grow to be an adult thats everybodys problem.

So, if you see someones kids speeding through the neighborhood, make a note of it. If you see them do it again, seek out and tell their parents. If their parents tell you to "Go to He!!" then you know the "Apple does not fall far from the tree" and at least you tried. Most reasonable parents WANT to know if their kids have been irresponsible citizens so they can take corrective action.

 

Some people would say that's nosy or being a 'busy body'.