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Residents press Auburn Hills council to slow traffic, city says a speed study and enforcement are underway
Summary
Two residents urged the council to reduce speeds and truck cut-throughs on Taylor Road; the police reported recent targeted enforcement, a radar trailer deployment and a weeklong traffic study, and said staff will analyze sight distance and routing with waste haulers.
Two Auburn Hills residents used the public-comment period at the May 5 city council meeting to press officials for immediate action on traffic safety along Taylor Road.
Karen Johnson told the council it is essential to “control the speed on Taylor Road” and asked for roundabouts at Taylor and Jocelyn and at Giddings and Jocelyn to slow traffic and stop large trucks from using the residential street as a cut-through. Jeff Meyer, who said he has lived on Taylor Road since 1997, questioned why the roadway’s posted speed has been set at 45 mph and asked whether posted weight limits (single axle 18,000 pounds; dual axle 32,000 pounds) are being enforced. “I don't understand the excuse or the reasoning for ever changing our speed to 45,” Meyer said.
At the mayor’s request, the chief of police reported targeted enforcement and short-term countermeasures already in place. The chief said the department conducted selective enforcement to reduce speeds, deployed a portable radar trailer “for probably about 4 days,” and ran traffic counters for a seven-day speed study; staff have just pulled the data and are analyzing it. The chief also said staff are reviewing sight distance from driveways and noted the shortest sight distance measured previously was 577 feet. On weight-limit enforcement the chief said, “I'll have to look at that,” adding the city has motor-carrier enforcement officers and that staff can speak with garbage companies about alternate routing.
Why it matters: residents say high speeds and heavy trucks are eroding safety and livability on a residential street that has changed as nearby development increased traffic. The police study and enforcement actions are expected to inform any next steps, such as adjustments to speed limits, physical traffic-calming measures, or targeted routing agreements with haulers.
What’s next: the police department is finishing analysis of the speed study and the city will continue to review sight distances and potential enforcement options. Council members did not take a formal vote on changes to speed limits or truck routing at the meeting.
