LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Drivers need to slow down when in neighborhood

By: Dear Editor: | SCNow
Published: December 13, 2009

I am a homeowner in the Charters Subdivision, which is off Southborough Road in West Florence.
I have put off writing this letter until I have done all I know to do through “proper” channels.
These included contacting and pleading for assistance from various traffic enforcement agencies, as well as talking with officers who happen to live in this community.
My efforts have been going on for some time now, and although I have received assurances that our traffic problem will be addressed, nothing has changed.
We have several families living at the back of the subdivision who, in order to get to their destination a couple of minutes sooner, treat Magna Carta Road as an open highway, excessively exceeding the posted 25 mph speed limit.
These drivers, who will not be identified in this letter, show no concern whatsoever for other residents who may be backing out of a driveway, children or pets that may run into the street, or pedestrians walking for exercise .
I am openly asking these people this:
-- What would you say to the family of someone you caused injury or death to, in order to make it to wherever you are going, a minute or two sooner?
-- Would you call it a tragic accident, but not your fault?
-- Would you say you’re so sorry it happened and would change things if you could?
Well here is your chance to do something, before it happens. Change the way you drive through our neighborhood now, by not speeding!
I will promise you this if you don’t. If and when the tragedy occurs, and it will sooner or later, I will be the very first witness, on the front row in court, testifying how I have seen you drive through this subdivision.

D. David Phipps
Florence