We, the concerned citizens living on Vernon Road in Lake Stevens (east of Highway 9, North of Frontier Village, down Vernon Road to Lundeen) are making a plea to our law enforcement to enforce the speeding laws on Vernon Road. This is a one-mile shortcut to or from Lundeen and it is a residential street. The posted speed limit is 30 mph with a 20 mph caution sign posted at the downhill and winding part of the road. Approximately 5,000 vehicles travel on this shortcut daily. We are witnessing a steady parade of aggressive drivers not paying attention, speeding and tailgating. The constant acceleration of motors and screeching of brakes is extremely worrisome. We are looking for a permanent solution to this problem. Since millions was invested into building a new bridge on Vernon Road in the last year, it seems unbelievable that no thought was given to make these other improvements.
The concerns we have about this dangerous situation that puts the community at risk for injury and property damage are:
Houses are within 10 to 15 feet of this road, which leaves property owners vulnerable to side-effects from accidents. Currently, several homeowners have experienced accidents – some resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage and the risk of bodily injury if they had been out in their yard.
School buses stop on this street to pick up children, which leaves them in danger of being injured or killed by irresponsible drivers. There are no crosswalks for the safety of pedestrians, primarily school children, needing to cross a dangerous and busy street.
The speeding and reckless driving and high volume of traffic using this street as a shortcut puts the pedestrians and resident’s property in a very precarious situation. There are no sidewalks, endangering joggers and walkers.
We are proposing that law enforcement to enforce the current speed limit, which would generate revenue and benefit everyone, and/or lower tje speed limit to 15 mph.
In addition to the speed limit being enforced and/or changed, one or more of the following precautions should be put into place:
We are petitioning our elected officials to suggest and implement a solution to make Vernon Road safe for our children and community, and to maintain a safe, peaceful quality of life. Please take action before another life is lost or someone is disabled.
Lake Stevens
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