News and events
Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association Awarded $25 to Motorists Who Drove 25 MPH During Kickoff!
April 25, 2008
22 Madison Neighborhood Associations and all Dane County Police Departments joined the 2008 effort .
"If we can slow traffic to 25 on this street $25 is a small price to pay," according to Tim Olsen, Transportation Chair of Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association.
Olsen made this comment as he passed off a $25 check from Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association to a surprised motorist during Safe Communities Slow Down Campaign kickoff today. As TLNs "$25 for 25" effort was underway, neighborhood families and kids held signs and chanted "thanks for slowing down" to passing motorists. Madison Police Department's TEST Unit conducted a speed wave and "slow down" yard signs lined the streets.
Safe Communities and Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association hosted this year's kickoff on Johnson Street and at Tenney Park Beach. A crowd of parents and children attended the event after early release from school. Festivities included a UW Health MedFlight landing at the park and an opportunity to check out fire engines, squad cars and free Chocolate Shoppe ice cream.
It was fun with a purpose, said Cheryl Wittke of Safe Communities. "Madison Police recently stopped a motorist driving 60 miles per hour at this location. The speed limit is 25 for a reason - this is a residential neighborhood. Every now and then folks passing through and neighborhood residents need to be reminded to slow down," she said.
Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association is particularly challenged by traffic speeds dividing the neighborhood in two, according to Pat McDonnell, TLNA President. "We're very fortunate to have a new, beautiful bike path along the Yahara River. This route makes it possible for people to get across the Isthmus without crossing busy E. Johnson and E. Washington," he added. "However, speeds on Johnson and Gorham really affect the quality of life in our neighborhood. As UW students move to high rises downtown and the rental market continues to soften, we have a real opportunity to turn student housing into affordable, owner occupied housing in our neighborhood. Great schools, beautiful parks and proximity to downtown make this neighborhood attractive to families. Speeding traffic on Johnson and Gorham makes those areas a tough sell to families looking for a safe environment for their kids," he said.
Safe Communities' red "slow down" signs were inspired by Tenney Lapham's campaign launched years ago, said Wittke. "Remember those signs - they read - "this is a residential neighborhood - drive 25?" The local Slow Down campaign is now a two county effort and has been replicated in communities across the country, she added.
The difference between driving 25 mph vs. 40 mph can be the difference between life and death. Safe Communities launched its annual Slow Down Campaign today to remind us to slow down to save lives.
Twenty-two area neighborhood associations and 26 Dane County communities are participating in this year's Slow Down Campaign. Campaign activities include posting of over 4,500 yard signs across Dane and Jefferson Counties reminding motorists to "Slow Down, Watch for Kids", stepped up speed enforcement by local police departments, and neighborhood speed watch efforts.
The faster vehicles travel, the more likely crashes are to occur and the more severe the injuries will be. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable.
- At 20 mph, 5% are killed, most injuries are slight and 30 percent
- suffer no injuries at all.
- At 30 mph, 45% are KILLED and many are injured.
- At 40 mph, 85% ARE KILLED.
Neighborhoods and individuals throughout Dane and Jefferson Counties are invited to join in the effort by posting signs. Yard signs are available for pick up at Dane County police departments, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and American Family Insurance agents.
For more information on how to reduce speeding in your neighborhood, please visit Safe Communities' website at www.safercommunity.net, or call 256-6713.
Safe Communities thanks American Family Insurance for three years of generous support of this campaign.
