Letter to the Editor

Editor:

I do not understand why we are implementing costly traffic-calming measures throughout the district. The real crux of the traffic problem is enforcement, enforcement and more enforcement. Since the demise of the Central Freeway, I have observed city streets being utilized as freeways.

The synchronized lights on Geary Boulevard are a disaster. Motorists now use Fulton, Lake and California streets as east-west routes. Since Arguello Boulevard was turned from a four-lane boulevard into a two-lane street with bicycle lanes, motorists now use Parker, Third and Sixth avenues as north-south routes.

Since Trader Joes opened, traffic traveling south on Masonic Avenue is sometimes backed up to Presidio Avenue. Taxis, trucks, and motorists double-park everywhere with no consideration. Muni busses do not pull over into bus stops. These bus stops could be utilized for valuable parking spots.

Motorists do not stop for stop signs, speed and frequently run over pedestrians. Bicyclists ignore most traffic laws and skateboarders and motorized scooters are unregulated. The City responds to this problem by "traffic calming." I say hooey!

This "traffic calming" is costly to the taxpayers. If the laws were enforced properly, the City would generate millions in uncollected revenues for infractions. At Fourth and California, where there is a four-way-stop intersection, hundreds of cars roll through the intersection without stopping. The city's "traffic calming" response to this problem is to install a $500,000 signal.

Instead of losing money and lives, we could be making money and saving lives. We should go after the real problem - violators of the vehicle code and inconsiderate individuals.
Jon C. Gray