Traffic issues

City commissioners should look favorably on a couple of recommendations aimed at pedestrian and motorist safety in Lawrence.

A couple of traffic items on the consent agenda for Tuesday’s Lawrence City Commission meeting deserve the attention and applause of local residents.

First is the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation that there be no change in the city’s ban on skateboarding on the sidewalks on the Kansas University campus. A few students have requested the change, but officials are correct that skateboards pose too great a danger to pedestrians on the heavily traveled sidewalks.

The other item is an overdue action to try to ease traffic congestion on Iowa Street during morning and evening rush hours. Traffic commissioners are recommending a trial ban on left turns from Iowa Street onto Orchard Lane, Oxford Road, Stratford Road or University Drive between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There is no left-turn lane on the busy stretch of Iowa Street between Harvard Road and 15th Street. Heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hour makes it difficult to complete a left turn. The result is that traffic backs up behind the vehicle attempting a turn, increasing the danger of rear-end accidents. The hilly terrain also makes it difficult for turning vehicles to gauge approaching traffic.

The recommendation on Iowa Street follows a similar strategy to limit left turns on a stretch of 23rd Street during morning and evening rush hours. After an experimental period, the turn ban was made permanent. Although the turning bans create inconvenience for some drivers, that may be offset by better traffic flow and reduced accidents. In some cases, it may take a driver less time to drive a few extra blocks than to wait to make a risky left turn. And those drivers not needing to turn will welcome the faster flow of traffic.

Traffic problems in Lawrence are minor compared to what exists in many other cities, but some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares are starting to feel the effects of Lawrence’s growth. Expanding streets may be the solution in some areas, but, in others, such controls as limiting left turns may ease the situation without the expense and disruption of a major construction project.

Neither the skateboard nor turning ban is likely to draw discussion at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, but both seem like good steps to promote pedestrian and vehicle safety in Lawrence.