Letter to the Editor: Motorists, Please Take Caution When Driving Near Eagan High School

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On any given school day between 7:00-8:00 a.m. and 2:15-6:15 p.m. within a one-mile radius of Braddock Trail and Diffley Road, traffic congestion results from hundreds of vehicles traveling to/from work and the three schools (Northview Elementary School, Dakota Hills Middle School, and Eagan High School) clustered in this area.

Despite school zone designation and Diffley Road labeled “hazardous” by District 196, the speed limit remains 45 mph. Did you know a pedestrian has a 10 percent chance of survival when struck by a vehicle at that rate of speed? Undoubtedly, their definition of living would be compromised.

Area residents are increasingly concerned regarding the high volume of traffic
mixed in with pedestrians. No matter what the day or time, without access to
sidewalks, people of all ages are forced to walk on the road or cross four-lane
Diffley Road, often in non-crosswalk areas, to access the only plowed trail in that location.

After observing these dangerous situations, we tried to find a more viable solution. Despite countless phone, e-mail, and in-person contacts with the City of Eagan including Mayor Mike Maguire, Council Members, Public Works Department, and Police Department, it is apparent that no taxpayer-compensated representative wants to step up and help remedy this public safety issue anytime soon … if ever.

At this moment, options seem limited except to plead with our fellow drivers:
Please—for everyone’s sake—slow down, be attentive, stay off your phone, obey the traffic/crosswalk laws, and show courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians no matter if you’re driving in a parking lot, a neighborhood, or on one of our many roadways.

Our mission and main concern is for the safety of pedestrians—the students
walking to school, the parents pushing a stroller or holding a child’s hand, the
joggers, the owners exercising their pets, the bicyclists, and so many others. Those people you encounter while driving your vehicle are irreplaceable neighbors, classmates, siblings, parents, and friends to someone, whether you know them or not. Drive with care.

Bob and Theresa Eisele

Want to publish a letter to the editor or guest column on Eagan Patch? Send your submission to Editor David Henke at david.henke@patch.com.