Description
There is a Pinellas County bus stop in front of my house. Almost every time the bus stops someone passes the bus in a no passing zone and it is also a blind curve heading south. I have called the police several times to make a report but still the traffic still passes the bus.
There is a handicapped (sight impaired) couple that use the bus stop along with an elderly gentleman that takes his bicycle off of the bus and the traffic passes indiscriminately.
This also is a speeding area heading north. They have done speed trials and I was told that the average speed is 43 mph which is within "acceptable limits." The speed limit is 35 mph. It's not acceptable when you are trying to cross the street. It's not acceptable when the nearest crosswalk is about 150 yards south. There is no speed limit sign along this stretch of road.
I have lived at this address for 5 years and it has become progressively worse. I realized that we live in unincorporated Seminole but that doesn't mean that people can speed uncontrollably on our street. Who can I petition to get speed limit signs posted and enforced? What about a no passing sign?
Help!!!
6 Comments
Pinellas County Communications (Verified Official)
Pinellas County Public Works - Traffic Management (Verified Official)
Pinellas County Public Works - Traffic Engineering (Verified Official)
Mr Matchner,
At your request, we studied this location on November of 2018. We inventoried the existing signage in the area and collected speed and volume data for 48 hrs. We also checked the last several years of crash data for Oakhurst Rood from Ridgeline Dr to 94th Ave N.
We replaced some outdated chevron signs and curve warning signs (with 30mph recommended speed limit) for NB and SB Oakhurst Rd.
As far as the speed study results near your property (by the bus stop) - the "average speed" for southbound traffic was 38mph, and the "average speed" for northbound traffic was 36mph. The average speeds were 1 to 3 mph over the posted speed limit. The study map was emailed to you. It was the 85th percentile speeds that were slightly higher at the 43mph for SB and 41mph for NB. While there is some speeding, the study results show the large majority of motorists are driving near the posted speed limit. The minority of speeders need to be addressed by law enforcement. This issue will be re-assigned to the Sheriff's office for enforcement.
The four years of crash data reviewed did not reveal any accidents related to passing. Mainly rear end and angle crashes and only a few of each.
This section of Oakhurst Rd already has double solid yellow center lines, indicating a NO PASSING zone.
There are existing speed limit signs on Oakhurst Rd. There is an existing 35mph sign for SB traffic, just south of 102nd Ave N, and another approx 1,200 ft north of you, just south of Leeward Dr. The existing 35mph for NB traffic is just north of 86th Ave N. I agree however, that another sign for NB traffic may be warranted. I'll discuss the installation of an additional sign for NB traffic, just north of the intersection with Antilles Dr/137th St N, with the Traffic Engineer.
Please keep in mind that Oakhurst Rd is functionally classified as a Minor Arterial roadway. Belcher Rd, Keene/Starkey Rd and Gulf Blvd are similarly classified Minor Arterial roadways.
Pinellas County Public Works - Traffic Engineering (Verified Official)
Closed Pinellas County Sheriff Office (Verified Official)
Edward Matchner, RN BA (Registered User)
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate the time spent looking into this matter. The bus stop in front of my house definitely needs more enforcement because every day numerous cars and trucks pass the stopped bus on the curve.
We also understand the concept of the minor arterial roadway however Belcher/Keene/Starkey are four-lane highways and let's face it, Gulf Blvd is way more heavily patrolled because of tourist concerns.
If there was some way that the sheriff's department could watch the bus stop when the bus is there it would be helpful.
Thank you very much again for your assistance.