Traffic Panel Approves Eliminating Lake Street Parking Space
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission Wednesday approved eliminating a parking spot on Lake Street and extending the length of parking lines near Mutual Bank. Cindy Dobbins, commission member, during the commission’s Nov. 5 meeting, said there have been Mutual Bank employees who have experienced view obstructions and site distance issues from the north at the bank on Lake Street south of Market Street. The issue has intensified since the angle parking on the west side has become unlimited and more vehicles are parking there all day. During Wednesday’s meeting, the commission voted for the parking lines to be extended by eight feet from 10 feet to 18 feet since Lake Street was resurfaced and the angle stalls do not meet standard-size parking spaces. The commission also approved eliminating the parking space on the southern spot on the west side of Lake Street to help with sight issues. Mayor Joe Thallemer swore in Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission members Kip Shuter, Steve Foster, Cindy Dobbins, Mike Klondaris and Joel Beam. Dan Robinson was absent during Wednesday’s meeting. Thallemer suggested the city look into installing a 15-minute parking space outside city hall that will allow residents to make sewage payments. Shuter provided the commission with a 2014 traffic report. In 2014, Warsaw Police Department investigated 894 motor vehicle crashes. There were 761 crashes that resulted in property damage, while 133 crashes resulted in personal injury. There were no fatalities within the city in 2014. There were 193 injuries reported, 11 which were incapacitating injuries. The total number of crashes is an increase of 27 crashes, or approximately a 3 percent increase over 2013. The top three contributing circumstances were unsafe backing, 176; failure to yield right of way, 160; and following too closely, 147. Other circumstances were roadway surface condition, 84; improper turning, 78; disregarding signal or regulatory sign, 55; animal in roadway (majority deer), 40; distracted driver, 35; alcohol and drugs over the legal limit, 16; and cell phone use, 15. Detroit Street, U.S. 30 and Center Street were the three highest crash roadways within the city for motor vehicle crashes. In 2014 WPD officers wrote 2,410 traffic tickets, an increase of 457 tickets or approximately a 19-percent increase over 2013. There were 102 DUI arrests made, an increase of 19 over 2013, There were 5,831 warning tickets issued; 1,777 parking tickets, an increase of 98 tickets or approximately a 6 percent increase over 2013.
