Slow Down

I have lived in the lower Riviera area for the past seven years, and almost every day as I drive down Micheltorena Street past Alameda Park, Kids’ World, and Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, I find myself saying, “I really need to write a letter to the Indy before someone is hurt or killed.” As everyone knows who frequents this area, there are cars pulling in and pulling out, and kids being shuttled in and out of the cars that park all along Micheltorena between Garden Street and Anacapa Street. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people let their children out on the street side of their cars as traffic is going by.

There has been more than one near-miss, what might easily have been a tragic and senseless accident. People will cross Micheltorena with their children, strollers, pets, etc., in the middle of the street, coming out between parked cars where they are barely visible to the passing drivers. I take this area extra slow, knowing that this is a daily occurrence, but as we all know, the “Slow Down Santa Barbara” campaign is ignored by many.

I am asking all parents, caregivers, etc., who bring their kids out to enjoy this area, please load your kids in and out of your vehicles on the sidewalk side, and please use the crosswalks. Not only is it the safe and right thing to do to ensure your kids’ well-being, you are also teaching by example to always use the crosswalks in the future, no matter where they are. Let’s keep our kids safe so that one day they can bring their own kids to Kids’ World and the adjacent parks and keep the tradition going.