Mesa Residents Asking Santa Barbara City Leaders for More Traffic Safety Solutions

A rally Saturday at noon on the Santa Barbara Mesa will draw attention to what some residents say is a dangerous area when it comes to street safety.

They say the cars are going too fast, pedestrians do not have safe crossings, and the street is busier than many people realize.

City leaders are expected to get a presentation soon as solutions are developed.

The speed limit now is 40 miles per hour. Some residents like Angela Bell want that reduced to 30 miles an hour.”So I would like to see a 30 mile and I would also like to see either a street light or one of those blinking lights that are a crosswalk. I don’t walk Cliff Drive because I don’t think it is safe.”

Police patrols have been stepped up on Cliff Drive especially near City College and elementary schools. Tickets have been written but even the officers will tell you, once they are gone the speeding returns.

Rosie Scherf says crossing the street is dangerous from her senior housing complex to the bus stop. “Well I usually stop and wait because I don’t dare take a chance because the cars are going so fast,” she said.

Wally Ronchietto supports more crosswalks with flashing lights. “We need to have a couple of them especially across from the church here because they have day care and a bus station. The other thing we need to do is to reduce traffic.” He supports a shuttle system to nearby shopping areas to reduce traffic and parking issues. These residents would also like a small post office counter and a localized library.