DANGERS OF SPEED

Speeding is a problem along some residential streets in Cape Girardeau. Such is the case on Lexington Avenue in northern Cape Girardeau.

The wide avenue seems a perfect place to edge the speedometer past the posted 30 or 35 mile per hour limits. Some neighbors who live along Lexington feel a number of the speeders zoom past at more than 60 miles per hour. That is downright dangerous.

Last week, a Cape Girardeau police officer and a Southeast Missourian reporter clocked traffic for about an hour. Of the 83 vehicles clocked, 62 exceeded the posted limit of 35.

For a long time, Lexington began at Cape Rock Drive and ended just past Sherwood Drive. The real speeding problem began in early 1994 when Lexington was extended to Perryville Road and Kingshighway. Neighbors worry that the speeding problem may worsen when Lexington is extended again. Construction is well under way on Melody Lane, which will connect Lexington with the Sprigg Street extension project.

This loop will become an important arterial thoroughfare when the work is complete. It will also bring more traffic and a more opportunities for speeding.

Police say the speeding problem is even greater on Kingshighway and William Streets, because those arteries maintain a heavier traffic flow. That may be. But Lexington is much more residential than either Kingshighway or William.

One deadly accident would no doubt change a laissez faire attitude about speeders. That accident could involve two motorists or a motorist and a pedestrian, since foot and bike traffic is high in Northfield subdivision.

A few speed traps could change all that. Only 11 tickets have been issued this year along Lexington. Drivers don't expect the police to be consistently monitoring speeds along Lexington. If people know there's a chance to get caught, motorists are bound to slow down.