Traffic calming measures to be taken on Cherokee Drive to prevent speeding

Some traffic calming measures may be taken on Cherokee Drive in Salinas after a push by residents for city officials to do something about people speeding in the area.

Each morning residents say there’s a risk of a bicyclist or a child getting hit by a speeding car during school hours.

“People are just flying through here,” says Cherokee Drive resident, Jim Talbott. “It’s crazy!”

On most days Cherokee drive is busy with both drivers and pedestrians.

The neighbors we spoke with said they want effective speed bumps installed on the street.

Those speed bumps should be designed to get the driver’s attention and get them to stop speeding.

Residents say they’ve seen the “speed humps” on Tyler Street nearby and don’t believe those would be the most effective way to stop speeders.

“One of the cars passed me and didn’t stop for the speed humps there,” says Maria Zagal. “They have them there, but I don’t think it’s enough. We need something that makes a point.”

There’s four-way stops on Cherokee Drive which Residents say they’ve seen people zoom through or barely stop for.

And then there’s a problem with side-shows at one intersection.

“About two and a half or three weeks ago at this corner, my wife was outside and they just sat there and spun around,” says Jim Talbott. “They did maybe four donuts and then sped off. It’s crazy over here.”

Cherokee Drive is a street that leads to Kammann Elementary School in one direction and Northridge Mall in the other.

If not a speed bump, residents want some form of action taken in calming the traffic on the street.

Their concerns have been heard as the city hosted one of its two community meetings regarding the plans they have to reduce traffic and speeding on Cherokee Drive.

The next meeting to introduce their findings is Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Kammann Elementary School Cafeteria.