Residents concerned about speeding drivers on Scott Boulevard
The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour, but many residents who live along Scott Boulevard say drivers are traveling much faster.
“It’s so wide and so big that when there’s not a lot of traffic it’s so tempting to treat it like a highway,” said Laurie Weaver, who has lived near Scott Boulevard for the past 11 years.
She said the traffic continues into her neighborhood too.
“People use West Rollins Road that I live on as a pass-through to go faster,” Weaver said. “It’s 25 miles per hour and it has speed bumps on it, but people go 40 on it.”
Weaver and several other residents who live near the Scott Boulevard and Smith Drive intersection said there used to be more crashes before the traffic lights were installed.
“We still hear a lot of screeching tires and what sound like ‘almost accidents,'” she said. “We hear that a lot because people aren’t going 45. They’re probably going 55, 60.”
ABC 17 News talked to Sergeant Curtis Perkins with the Columbia Police Department Traffic Unit who said they are aware of the speeding complaints along Scott Boulevard. He said residents also complain about drivers running red lights at intersections.
Perkins said patrolling officers are responsible for traffic violations, but it’s difficult to patrol one particular area at all times.
Residents that live near Wales Drive off of Scott Boulevard have seen many crashes throughout the years.
In August, a car crashed through a fence in front of a home causing the car to roll over. The driver was not there when crews responded to the scene.
Early Saturday morning a car came around the bend on Scott Boulevard, went off the street and through a home on Mount Carmel Lane.
People living in this area would like to see either the speed limit reduced, or more guard rails and traffic signs to alert drivers.
Tony St. Romaine, the Assistant City Manager, advises residents to contact their city council member if they would like to see changes made along Scott Boulevard.
The north section of Scott Boulevard is in the Fourth Ward, which council member Ian Thomas resides over. Council member Laura Nauser is responsible for the south part of the street in the Fifth Ward.
