The argument that it will cause problems for the ambulances is totally incorrect. Having had to ride an ambulance recently totally proved that point .
As an ambulance goes over the current speed bump just prior to exiting the gates, the ambulance have to slow down practically coming to a full stop before going over the speed bump which raises the ambulance abruptly and drops suddenly.
David Israel has in the past said this would be a problem for the ambulance to have the change to a speed table. One thing stated was "what if the medic had to put in an IV and he runs into the speed table..." The answer to that is very simple: It would not happen.
How can I say such a comment? Well, it is common practice for the EMT to put in an IV if needed PRIOR to the Emergency Vehicle moving an inch for transport.
As anyone that has ridden in an ambulance could attest, if they needed to have an IV put in, it was done so before moving.
That is the Standard Procedure for an EMT.
The speed table, is designed to slow a vehicle down while not causing damage to said vehicle IF THE PROPER SPEED LIMIT IS MAINTAINED.
Speed tables Unlike Speed bumps will not cause damage to a vehicles suspension or front end as long as the driver is going the proper speed limit.
That is the purpose of having the speed tables.
I have previously proposed to have the speed tables placed prior to the turns in the village, and the current stop signs, but to also have them as the cross walks
The Time is NOW for the safety of our residents.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about it being normal practice for the EMTs to hook one up to an IV before getting underway. However, I know from personal experience that your statement "As anyone that has ridden in an ambulance could attest, if they needed to have an IV put in, it was done so before moving" is not correct.
A few years ago we called 911. I was not at death's door, but the Red Wagon came out, they got me on the gurney, and an IV was hooked up to me WHILE WE WERE UNDERWAY ON SOME BUMPY ROADS en route to Gardens Medical Center. I remember asking the EMT, "How in the world are you ever going to get that in the vein?" He wasn't only drawing blood, which is relatively easy; he was inserting the little plastic doohickey used in setting up an IV line for multiple uses. That's a bit more difficult. I forget what he replied, but he did a good job. Happily IVs don't bother me (famous last words), and I have no complaint whatsoever.
In citing my experience, I am NOT suggesting your idea of having speed tables does not have merit. Speeding IS a problem in the Village, and someone could be killed one day. The tables I have encountered on roads do do their job in slowing you down without giving you a terrible jolt. Once a community looks favorably on having some speed tables, the next question is how many of them to have and where. For nobody wants too many. You say, "I have previously proposed to have the speed tables placed prior to the turns in the village, and the current stop signs, but to also have them as the cross walks."
Two questions: (1) Would you have them other than on the perimeter road and if so, where? And (2) Why have them before stop signs? I can see having them before the stop signs at the Haverhill and Okeechobee gates, but why at other stop signs? Drivers are already slowing down, aren't they? It might help in evaluating your idea to know what the Village map would look like with the tables you recommend in place.
Thanks for your concern for our well-being.
Hi Lanny,
DeleteIf there is anything we do not need to spend more money on, it is more signs and more obstacles to impede traffic flow on our roads.
Dave Israel
I had wondered about the expense and forgotten about all our signs. We certainly are "Sign City" here—it's almost laughable when you count them up, and we keep adding to them, it seems. Now it's ducks, tomorrow it's no fishing, the next day alligators, the following day it's being towed if incorrectly parked at the Clubhouse. On major highways they are usually careful about signage, to not throw too much at you at once. So I can see, Dave, why you would not be in favor of speed tables (or humps or bumps) added to the mix. Plus we'd have to have as many more signs WARNING of the speed table to come!
ReplyDeleteTwo signs have actually been removed, though—the NO RIGHT ON RED SIGNS at the Haverhill exit—that mystery explained in your latest email communication. The DOT took them down, saying the lack of accidents didn't warrant them. I hate to think what could happen with one of our seniors in his little car making the right on red while not seeing one of those trucks barreling south on Haverhill.
The other day I saw one of our signs—I forget where in the Village, but I think on the north side of North Drive—affixed to the BACK of a stop sign. I believe that's illegal. The stop sign is purposely the only octagonal-shaped sign so that someone seeing the back of the sign will know that the traffic facing the sign has to stop.
Lanny, to answer your questions, My main concern is the perimeter road, it is where people seem to think is is a NASCAR raceway and think they can pass people going the speed limit. AS for the placement, I believe there should be placed before and after the four major turns and at least two on each straightaway. It would help to have them at crosswalks on the straightaways, but there probably be at least two on each straightway fairly evenly spaced from each turn for a total of 16.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob.
ReplyDelete