OPINION: Traffic-calming measures well intentioned but potentially dangerous
A Medford resident argues that rapid expansion of traffic-calming measures may be well intentioned, but, "the cumulative effect is creating a driving environment that is increasingly frustrating, congested, difficult to navigate, and potentially dangerous in unintended ways."
The following was submitted by Medford resident Patty Caya.
Dear Mayor, City Council members, DPW leadership, and Public Safety officials,
I am writing to urge the city to pause and seriously reconsider the rapid expansion of “traffic calming” infrastructure throughout our neighborhoods before we repeat the mistakes now becoming evident in nearby Somerville.
Like many residents, I have watched the increasing installation of raised crosswalks, speed humps, lane narrowing, flex posts, and other roadway obstructions with growing concern. While these measures may be well intentioned, the cumulative effect is creating a driving environment that is increasingly frustrating, congested, difficult to navigate, and potentially dangerous in unintended ways.
What especially concerns me is that the Somerville Firefighters Local 76 recently testified publicly before the Somerville City Council that these traffic calming measures are negatively impacting emergency response times and damaging expensive emergency apparatus.
Somerville Times: Firefighters express qualms with traffic calming devices https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/147470
WHDH: Somerville fire department raising concerns about delayed responses due to city speed bumps https://whdh.com/news/somerville-fire-department-raising-concerns-about-delayed-responses-due-to-city-speed-bumps/
According to the firefighters’ testimony:
- A single speed hump can delay emergency response by 3–10 seconds
- Fire engines and ladder trucks are experiencing increased wear and tear to suspensions, brakes, alignments, and undercarriages
- Flex posts are reportedly ripping lines from beneath emergency vehicles
- Somerville’s firefighters described navigating the city as having become “a nightmare” over the past several years
- The city’s fleet includes apparatus costing $1–2 million each, responding to nearly 16,000 calls annually
These are not abstract concerns. In a medical emergency, fire, or rescue situation, seconds matter. Delays compound. Excessive wear on emergency vehicles ultimately means higher maintenance costs, more downtime, and more taxpayer expense.
What is striking is that even Somerville city councilors — who have strongly supported these initiatives — acknowledged publicly that the impacts on emergency services and vehicle wear must now be taken seriously.
I am asking our city to learn from Somerville before we go too far down the same road.
Please slow or pause the expansion of these measures until the following can occur:
- A comprehensive public safety impact review involving firefighters, EMS personnel, police, and DPW operations staff
- Independent evaluation of emergency response delays associated with raised crosswalks, speed humps, and roadway narrowing devices
- A public accounting of maintenance and replacement costs associated with emergency vehicles operating under these conditions
- Greater transparency and public input before permanent roadway alterations are approved
- Consideration of less intrusive alternatives focused on targeted enforcement, better signage, safer intersection design, and driver education rather than blanket physical obstructions throughout neighborhoods
Residents deserve streets that are both safe and functional. Safety should include not only pedestrian considerations, but also emergency response capability, accessibility, traffic flow, municipal cost impacts, and overall quality of life.
Too often, it feels as though these projects are advancing through an ideological lens rather than through balanced, evidence-based decision making that fully considers all stakeholders — including residents, emergency responders, taxpayers, and drivers who use these streets every day.
I respectfully ask you to step back, listen carefully to public safety professionals, and avoid turning our city into another example of over-engineered streets that become difficult, expensive, and inefficient for everyone.
Please do not let us repeat Somerville’s mistakes.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Patty Caya
Medford
