Slow down there, Tisbury. You might want to see how fast you’re driving along Franklin Street.
Tisbury Police Chief Chris Habekost said his officers installed a new radar speed sign at the intersection of Center Street and Franklin Street on Sunday, August 14, to “make [drivers] aware of the speed limit in that area.” The speed limit on this segment of Franklin Street is 25 mph.
The speed limit on that stretch of road was reduced in 2021 by the select board on the recommendation of then-Chief Mark Saloio after the town received complaints of vehicles speeding on Franklin.
The intersection of Franklin Street and Center Street has seen car crashes before, the most recent happening in late July. However, Habekost said vehicle crashes in the area have been an issue for a long time.
“I’ve worked here for 25 years at the police department, and that’s been an intersection that’s seen its fair share of vehicle crashes,” Habekost said, listing limited visibility from the Tisbury Village Cemetery for drivers on Center Street as an issue.
Other than reminding drivers how fast they are driving, the radar speed sign records vehicle speeds.
“We [can] get an idea on how many vehicles are going the speed limit and how many are exceeding the speed limit,” Habekost said. “That can give us an idea what other steps we should take, enforcement actions and stuff like that.”
Habekost told The Times the radar speed sign is only one part of improving road safety at the intersection. He said a possibility is increasing the police presence in the area, whether that be an officer with a cruiser or a motorcycle, to monitor not only speeds but whether people are making a “complete stop” when they get to the Center Street stop sign.
When asked whether a speed limit sign would accompany the radar speed sign, Habekost said he will work with Kirk Metell, director of the Tisbury department of public works, to put one up.
“We’ll also see if there are other measures that should be taken in the future after consultation and collaboration with the other department heads,” Habekost said.
Can we get the same help in Oak Bluffs… Norris Ave is used as a cut through to get around the slow traffic caused by the school…. and its a short cut from Wing Rd. to Vineyard Ave… There seems to be an increasing amount of SPEEDING CARS …. where are they going that fast…?? if a kid or animal stepped out into the road, there would be NO time to stop at that pace…. the road isnt that long to be racing down it….. PLEASE ENFORCE THE SPEED LIMIT IN OAK BLUFFS ON NORRIS AVE ALSO…. thank you….
I wish the residents on Franklin Ave good luck with that because we have the same problem with arrogant drivers. Spoiler alert: there’s no end to the number of arrogant drivers. We’ve had one such sign on Skiff Ave for some time now (after our residential petition to change it to 20MPH from 30MPH was agreed to by the BOS and then got scrapped, giving us a 25MPH sign change instead). If there’s no cruiser parked on the street to enforce it, commuters, motorists, vacationers, labor forces of all subcontracting skills, islanders will regularly pay no attention. “Get away with all you can” is a motto adopted by too many people and it has no better a place to be on display as from behind the wheel of a car or truck. Despite walkers, dog walkers, runners, bicyclists, neighbors visiting neighbors, vacationers, seasonal owners on the sidewalk and crossing our street, the open defiance continues. As I said, good luck to you with that sign. BTW: in 2020 when I submitted our petition to the BOS for a change in speed limit for our neighborhood, many long time residents signed the petition with a remark like “nothing will change. We’ve tried many many times before and nothing ever changes.” Do you know what WILL change this? Ticket the damned speeders who go 5 miles over the speed limit!!!!! Enforce the law, Chief Habekost.