APS Citizens for Traffic Safety React to Accidents

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Neighbors on Alameda Padre Serra, also known as APS, are concerned about a rash of recent accidents.

They are urging drivers on the scenic and windy road to slow down.

Two accident in two weeks happened along a stretch between Moreno and the Santa Barbara Middle School.

Members of at least 7 households have joined a groups called ACTS which stands for APS Citizens for Traffic Safety.

ACTS has shared video and photos of accidents

They have used a radar to track speeding in the 30 mile per hour zone.

But they said you can here speeding cars go by and drivers hitting their breaks.

"We have a group of neighbors that have lived here long time we have worked with the city for a number of years to try and address the traffic safety issue here on APS, all up and down APS there are incidents last week on the 900 block a car went over the guard rail this week we had collision, we have had a child hit out here on the street," said Kelly Brodbeck, "the city is listening to us but they are not moving particularly quickly and we would like to continue the dialogue with them and put some physical barriers in place like stop signs, the city engineer Derrick Bailey has said in our meetings the only way to deal with the issues here is with some kind of physical barrier."

He believes the fire department may not want impediments during mass evacuations.

"So we kind of go around and around with the cars going 30, 40 sometimes 50, 60 miles an hour along here and the kind of crash we had today is typical of the behavior, hopefully no one is going to get run over by guys like that, it is just a matter of time," said Brodbeck.

A mother of three said she is worried about children and drivers.

"It is really frustrating because we live here we have three kids, we have family in the area, we have schools nearby, theoretically this should be a great place for kids but it is scary for them to even go outside and play in the front of the house, " said Elisabeth de Gramont.

Her block has not sidewalks and there are blind curves.

"Respect the speed limit when you see there is little visibility, you're going down a winding road, there are many driveways, like this one and ours that go out directly into the street, people have to back in and out," de Gramont.

They said a child on a scooter was injured two years ago near the Arguello intersection.

"We have looked out the window multiple time and have heard tires screeching, we call skid mar

This morning she heard a fire truck arrive.

"I heard sirens because someone crashed into a parked car."

That is where they would like a stop sign.

Public Works and police could not be reached for comment but their council woman said she is aware of the ongoing issue.

"We also really need for drivers to be paying attention and moving with more caution for the neighbors through these tight and winding streets. I have heard many stories of near misses, " said Councilmember Kristen Sneddon.

Residents said it gets worse during the school year and they are worried a fatal accident could happen before safety measures are taken.

Neighbors also said when the 101 gets busy there are more drivers using the scenic route as a alternative.

In the meantime, they are urging drivers to follow the speed limit signs and to watch for cars in driveways.

Your News Channel will have more on APS accidents tonight on the news.