Since before the Old South Side Community Coalition's first meeting in June, I had a number of residents that live in close proximity of the West 14th Street Roundabout asking for help in getting some kind of traffic regulators put in place due to the number of accidents as a result of the dangerous traffic patterns and design.
A lot of motorists entering and exiting the circle, including myself, have had more than our share of near misses. What those living in clear view of the roundabout cannot ignore are the many fenderbenders, speeding cars, big huge semi tractor trucks and tankers that swing around creating perilous conditions for other drivers.
One family whose porch looks directly over the problematic turn has witnessed accident after accident and most often are the first on the scene providing assistance, calling the police, ambulance or just making sure that people are OK.
These residents say they have contacted the Mayor's office, Dept. of Traffic, ODOT, and others to no avail. While you either love it or you hate it, the roundabout is now a fact of life for local traffic as well as vacationers, tourists, working vehicles, delivery trucks, cyclists, semi trucks carrying huge heavy loads and transient traffic just passing through. There is a pedestrian crossing at the entrance of the roundabout as you leave West 14th Street going West.
Inasmuch as there are numerous directional signs, the lack of stop signs, caution lights and/or red lights leaves an open invitation to accidents waiting to happen. While most motorists traveling this draggle of paved highway drive cautiously and practice safe driving rules of the road, the loop is confusing to many and in attempting to compensate for their bewilderment, they often cut off, enter the wrong lane, crowd or just plain slam into another vehicle trying to either enter, complete the turn or exit off.
The only speed limit sign posted is a yellow 15mph. One resident stated that he witnessed 5 accidents within a two hour period of time and believes that the public at large is not aware of just how many accidents occur in the roundabout.
Since we are stuck with the arched driveway, it seems only reasonable for all motorists, passengers and pedestrians to be afforded a safe orbit. Being that the City of Cleveland created the situation of possible fatalities, personal injuries and property damage, the City of Cleveland should take action in making this a safer route of travel before it becomes the ring of death.