Private road wars and speed bumps

[torqotrac]

This area is a neighborhood of 30 residences. About 10 years ago the private road was paved which eliminated the dust. But , as usual, some would not cooperate and ante up a pro rata $ share. To complete it a well heeled neighbor paid the delta. There is a 10 mph speed limit which is honored at about 25mph, but pretty safe. From time to time the youth (with their parents approval) launch their atvs and dirtbikes with their children armored up in motocross gear. They begin to run laps thru the quiet neighbor hood. Some complain and stop it. We are surrounded by forest land which has been carved up and clear cut, but the parents feel it is not safe like the private road. If you invoke HOA covenant and are explicit you may not get it voted it. The CCR (covenant resitriction) used here is boilerplate with broad restriction such as "peace and tranquility." To be fair some here were grandfathered in and highly resentful. The CCR's are defensible in court, but I would guess only an idividual would pursue this. This place is still better than below in the city where gangs have appeared , but have not yet eliminated themselves.

 

[5030]

I've considered digging a ditch across the road for inconsiderate drivers............ Your road is a microcysm of whats wrong with this country, people who don't care about others rights and those that do are afraid to act.

 

[DarkBlack]

Ever seen a kid chasing a ball? Or playing tag? Or crossing the street to get the mail?
Kid is running to catch a fly ball?
We don't let them play on the "road" - which in my case is a ONE lane dead end private road - we have it posted at 20mph, it works for us.

The people who drive 60 we have a problem with.

I've seen all those kids games, but it was in fields or on someone's land. I was taught streets were for vehicles and we needed to BE CAREFUL if we crossed one!
I think if you have a speeder, you should deal with the speeder. Chances are he/she speeds on other streets.
I still don't get the "children at play" posted in a vehicle street. What's that tell everyone? You don't really care if an elderly person is crossing the street? Does it mean if you, as the parent, don't teach your kids to be careful in a street, it's not your fault, it's the motorists fault?
Again, deal with the speeder, and the kids in the street. Why punish all the other drivers?

 

[DarkBlack]

I've considered digging a ditch across the road for inconsiderate drivers............ Your road is a microcysm of whats wrong with this country, people who don't care about others rights and those that do are afraid to act.

I kind of disagree. Punishing all innocent drivers, for one person's view of select offending speeders is wrong

 

[5030]

I kind of disagree. Punishing all innocent drivers, for one person's view of select offending speeders is wrong

And I kind of disagree with you as well. On our road (it's a dirt country road), I'd be winning to bet that less than 5% of the drivers drive sanely. Those that do, value their vehicles. I can sit on the porch and listen to the suspensions screaming as the dust sandblasts their paint.

I go slow and people blow by me like it's an Interstate. No common sense and no respect for others. The guy down the road goes through vehicles like water, drives like a total idiot all the time. He's had 5 vehicles to my 1.

I have never figured out why people are so stupid. I dig a ditch and the fun stops. Not a deep one, maybe 6" deep sort of a reverse speed bump.

 

[DarkBlack]

And I kind of disagree with you as well. On our road (it's a dirt country road), I'd be winning to bet that less than 5% of the drivers drive sanely. Those that do, value their vehicles. I can sit on the porch and listen to the suspensions screaming as the dust sandblasts their paint.

I go slow and people blow by me like it's an Interstate. No common sense and no respect for others. The guy down the road goes through vehicles like water, drives like a total idiot all the time. He's had 5 vehicles to my 1.

I have never figured out why people are so stupid. I dig a ditch and the fun stops. Not a deep one, maybe 6" deep sort of a reverse speed bump.

Yeh... I hear you, but you'd be acting like an un-authorized cop if you did that.
Your opinion of a safe speed seems to be different than theirs.
Do the real cops know people are speeding on your road?

 

[Paddy]

Dust3030,

The bump builder clearly states, it's because of the children. In the 5 years the child has been on the planet, I've seen her once. They have a 6' tall stockade fence around the house including the front. I don't think they are going to get any believers. Then to define speeding? What is excessive on a 1.2 mi long road? 25 mph, 20 mph? 15mph?

I'm in the camp, be mindful of your neighbors regardless if it's dust or children. But if it's rainy and the kids are at school? Also, some have to take into account there own actions, like building a house 20' from a gravel road. I have never left my kids run that close to a road, it's dangerous. We can all be respectful but when the new UPS driver zooms down the road making time, it's time parents be parents and keep your kids under your watchful eye, or behind that 3' chain link fence. I see it all the time, people let there dogs run and it's the drivers fault when its hit by a car and the live 50 ' from the road.

 

[sseelhoff]

Dust3030,

The bump builder clearly states, it's because of the children. In the 5 years the child has been on the planet, I've seen her once. They have a 6' tall stockade fence around the house including the front. I don't think they are going to get any believers. Then to define speeding? What is excessive on a 1.2 mi long road? 25 mph, 20 mph? 15mph?

I'm in the camp, be mindful of your neighbors regardless if it's dust or children. But if it's rainy and the kids are at school? Also, some have to take into account there own actions, like building a house 20' from a gravel road. I have never left my kids run that close to a road, it's dangerous. We can all be respectful but when the new UPS driver zooms down the road making time, it's time parents be parents and keep your kids under your watchful eye, or behind that 3' chain link fence. I see it all the time, people let there dogs run and it's the drivers fault when its hit by a car and the live 50 ' from the road.

This guy's issue is not his kid. This guy's issue is he's decided what is appropriate behavior, and he is going to control everyone else regardless. He's no different that the person who drives slowly in the left lane so faster drivers cannot pass. Vigilante mindset.

 

[Paddy]

CalG,

only half, his line goes to the center. Before you know it we'd have a zig zag road if anyone can build fences or 2' high speed bumps.

 

[davrow]

It's a shared easement, right? None of you are allowed to unilaterally make any change to the road, other than maintenance. And maintenance does not include creating speed bumps or altering the course of the road.

Unless you in fact have no legal easement, then the person building the speed bump is operating outside the law. You can enforce its removal legally. Ownership to the middle of the road does not overrule a granted easement.