BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Bakersfield neighborhood that has spent years calling for safer streets is seeing new action along Harris Road, where a speed radar sign has been installed following repeated crashes, including one last month that killed three people.
Neighbors said the radar speed sign went up yesterday near Harris Road and is already flashing drivers’ speeds.
Some residents said they welcome the change but do not believe it will be enough to address ongoing safety concerns.
“It was funny because I noticed it being put up yesterday, and as I was coming home today from work, I didn’t even really notice it,” said Amanda Bluemel. “So, honestly, I don’t see that being a huge change.”
The sign was installed weeks after a deadly three-person crash that renewed frustration among residents who say they have warned the city for years about speeding and collisions on Harris Road.
Bakersfield police said Harris Road has had 16 deadly or major injury crashes in the past five years.
“There’s always multiple crashes. There’s accidents. There’s people who die,” said Evelyn Delgado, in April.
Delgado said the new sign is a start, but residents want additional changes, including a reconfiguration of the roadway.
“Slowly but surely, but we’re hoping so it could be reduced down to one lane, and then, I mean, be a residential neighborhood because we’re not considered one,” Delgado said.
Over the phone, another neighbor, Kazuya Buckland said he has been told Harris Road does not qualify for speed humps unless it is reclassified as a residential street with lower speeds.
He said he has contacted the city, the Kern County Board of Supervisors and traffic engineering over the years, but feels the process has gone in circles.
Bluemel said she started a petition calling for more safety improvements in the area and that neighbors are waiting for the official petition so they can begin gathering signatures.
“We’ll be canvassing the area for those voters and those people who live within our area to show that we are needing some change,” she said. “We don’t want to lose any more lives.”
Bakersfield police said last month’s crash happened when a driver traveling at a high rate of speed rear-ended an SUV that was stopped at a stop sign.
Police said the driver and a couple in the SUV were killed.
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They were identified as 34-year-old Sandra Lee Slaydon, 49-year-old Omar Zacarias and 51-year-old Silvia Reyes.
The speed radar sign is being added near the intersection of Harris Road and Summer Springs Drive.
The city of Bakersfield said people with concerns about road safety can contact the Traffic Engineering Division to report issues or request an evaluation.