Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges speed humps on Old Great Road after repeated near-misses; police offer targeted enforcement
Summary
Resident John Tagle told the council his dead-end street suffers persistent speeding, including delivery drivers; he asked for physical traffic calming. Police said targeted speed details are possible and staff discussed plastic removable speed bumps as a short-term option and Safe Streets grant opportunities for longer-term work.
At the June 15 meeting John Tagle, who identified himself as a North Smithfield resident living on Old Great Road, described repeated dangerous driving incidents on his dead-end street and urged the council to pursue physical traffic calming such as speed humps.
Tagle said Old Great Road is roughly 1,800 feet with 18 houses and that drivers — including delivery vans — routinely speed, creating hazards for children who ride bikes and walk in the neighborhood. He said a social-media post drew more than 75 supportive responses and offered that his family could help contribute to costs for a permanent calming measure.
Chief Lafer responded that the police can run targeted speed details and monitor social media reports but cautioned that patrols are temporary; the chief confirmed the department can consider portable speed bumps and enforcement details specific to the beat. Town staff later noted a Safe Streets grant application that could fund signage, road-configuration changes or removable plastic speed bumps, while warning some permanent speed-hump designs complicate winter plowing.
Councilors asked the chief to coordinate a one-week targeted enforcement effort and asked staff to evaluate short-term plastic speed-bump options pending grant outcomes. The council did not adopt a formal policy tonight but directed staff to explore options and costs.
