On behalf of the Hampton Rd larger community, I am writing to bring to your attention the urgent need for speed mitigation/traffic calming measures on Hampton Rd. As a resident of this community, I have witnessed firsthand the reckless behavior of some drivers on this road, which has led to several near misses and even accidents.

While I appreciate that after the death of the young girl, who was killed being run over on the sidewalk in 2014, you reduced the speed limit to 25 mph, this unfortunately is almost never observed. And while we appreciate the amazing SPD and their support, it also should not be the job of the SPD to continuously have to put up speed traps and ticket people. Between the wideness of the road, the portions that are straightaways and the lack of actual curbs distinguishing the road from the sidewalk, this has become a high-speed and dangerous route. This poses a serious threat to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists who use this road every day. 

I would like to request that the you consider implementing a full traffic study review of Hampton Road to see if any of the following speed mitigation measures might be able to be put in place:

• Installing speed humps or rumble strips to slow down traffic and alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians and other road users.
• Creating actual curbs to delineate the road from the sidewalk
• Narrowing the lanes and perhaps creating actual bike lanes or larger sidewalks
• Installing additional stop signs such as a 4-way stop sign at Aspen Rd to slow people down halfway
• Creating chicanes (sidewalk extensions) that create a zigzag pattern with alternating curves to disturb the straight path of the roadway

I understand that implementing these measures will require funding and careful planning. However, I believe that the safety of our community is paramount and that these measures will make a significant difference in reducing the number of accidents and near-misses on Hampton Rd.

As a mother of three young children, we frequent these sidewalks and crosswalks daily. Between my older children biking to school, kids walking home from school, taking my toddler for a walk or walking the dog, Hampton Rd is a well-traveled area for my family and many others.

On behalf of the entire community, thank you for considering this request.