×

Residents bring speeding concerns to Weirton Council

WEIRTON — A group of residents approached Weirton Council, Monday, seeking help with speeding vehicles in their neighborhood.

During the Citizens’ Comments portion of Monday’s meeting, resident Amy Perez approached council with concerns over the speed of vehicles traveling on Powers Road.

“I’m not going to let it be ignored any longer,” Perez said.

Perez said the speeding is an issue both with visitors to the neighborhoods as well as residents, and asked for help in putting a stop to it.

She explained that Powers Road is a small and narrow street, and told of how in recent months her family’s dog was struck and killed by a speeding vehicle which drove away, and her fear the same could happen to her 5-year-old son.

She said her family has since enclosed their yard and no longer goes for walks on the street, saying other residents have taken similar precautions.

“A sign that says ‘Slow, Children at Play,’ just isn’t enough anymore,” she said.

Increased police patrols, as well as traffic control devices such as four-way stop signs, rumble strips and lower speed limits were requested as potential solutions. Later in the meeting, City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo noted speeding is a problem in several areas of the city, noting incidents on Circle Drive, Weir Avenue and Beacon Drive as examples. He said in many of those instances, it has been residents of those streets speeding through their own neighborhoods.

As part of Monday’s agenda, council approved, by a 6-1 vote, the purchase of a new speed patrol trailer at a cost of $8,507.

“These speed trailers not only tell you the speed, it records the data,” he said, explaining officials will be able to see the times of day where the most speeding occurs in an area.

Resident Eli Dragisich, who also lives in the neighborhood, noted it is state law that speed limits in residential areas are to be 25 miles per hour, unless posted otherwise. Dragisich echoed many of Perez’s concerns, saying he has received property damage as a result of speeding vehicles in the area. It also was noted the end of Powers Road, at Pennsylvania Avenue, is a school bus stop. DiBartolomeo said he will request increased police patrols in the area, while Ward 2 Councilman Mike Adams, who represents the area, recommended the residents petition the city’s Traffic Commission to discuss changes to signage and other measures.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today