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,,Sandy Peine <br /> <br />From: <br />Sent: <br />To: <br />Subject: <br /> <br />Beahen, Jeff ribeahen@police.ci.elk-river, mn.us] <br />Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:20 PM <br />'cityclerk@ci.elk-river. mn. us' <br />FW: Requests <br /> <br />> ..... Original Message ..... <br />> From: Beahen, Jeff <br />> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 7:11 PM <br />> To: 'Janet.Cardinal@reliastar.com, <br />> Cc: Zerwas, Tom; 'citycleark@ci.elk-river.mn.us' <br />Subject: Requests <br /> <br /> I was given your e-mail message regarding two requests for traffic control <br /> devices. <br /> <br /> The first, a request for a speed limit sign on Twin Lakes Road (County <br /> Road 13) can not be handled through the City. This ts a county road and <br /> all requests for additional signs or speed limit issues have to be <br /> directed to Sherburne County. I would suggest the Highway Department or <br /> County Engineer as a starting point. <br /> <br /> The second, a request for a "Children Playing" sign on Tyler Street. That <br /> request needs to be made to Phil Hals, the Street Department Head for the <br /> City of Elk River. He is in charge of installing signs on our streets and <br /> would handle that request. <br /> <br /> I agree with your basic philosophy on signs, but disagree on the end <br /> result. Caution signs such as the one you. request have been proven to be <br /> very ineffective. Numerous studies have been done by such facilities as <br /> the Traffic Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois, and <br /> the National Traffic Safety Board in Washington. Signs are not the answer. <br /> As you observe, speed limit signs are not obeyed - yet we put them up <br /> anyway. Here lies the difference. If someone disobeys a caution sign, <br /> there are no statutory provisions that allow the driver to be stopped and <br /> tagged. A speeder on the other hand who disobeys a speed sign can be <br /> stopped and cited - a proven method to deterring a future violation by <br /> that particular offender. <br /> <br /> The three proven effective methods of deterring violations are in fact; <br /> EDUCATION, ENGINEERING and ENFORCEMENT. While signs are included in <br /> engineering, caution signs are generally not accepted as a viable method <br /> of preventing violations from taking place. <br /> <br /> I don't believe that the City installed the Duck Warning Sign, but I will <br /> confirm this with Mr. Hals. Those types of signs are normally paid for and <br /> installed by concerned citizens - not the city. <br /> <br /> I can't suggest any engineering changes, education seems unlikely as a <br /> venue that would work, but I can promise you that enforcement will be <br /> increased in the area. I have assigned directed enforcement projects in <br /> the area over the next several weeks. <br /> <br /> I have requested that the City Clerk forward the remaining portion of your <br /> request to the Mayor and two specific council members referred to in the <br /> final paragraph. <br /> <br /> Please contact me if you have any additional concerns or questions <br /> concerning your concerns on vehicle speed and traffic in your area. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br />> Jeffrey Beahen <br />> Assistant Chief of Police <br />> 441-2954 <br /> <br /> <br />