Letters To The Editor

Thu., May 4, 2000

Yellow speed-limit signs distracting to drivers

No matter where you drive on the South Hill, you encounter hundreds of bright yellow speed-limit signs. The signs, bearing catchy phrases such as “Neighbors Drive 25” and “20 is Plenty,” insult the intelligence of drivers and are extremely distracting.

I know the speed limit; I took a sixweek course that taught the driving laws before I was able to get my license, so putting up a sign will not help inform me and will not persuade me to drive the speed limit.

Little yellow signs will not make the majority of speeders slow down.

These signs are also an unnecessary distraction to drivers. There are already an adequate amount of speed-limit signs. Putting bright yellow signs with not only the speed limit, but also a phrase, diverts the attention of the driver away from the road and away from official signs and places it on reading small signs on the side of the road.

I would think neighbors would want drivers to watch for children or pets.

The signs, as annoying as they are, were a creative step in curbing speeding, but they’re doing more harm than good. Tess C. Hembree Spokane

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