Lafayette's Road Safety Crisis: A Call for Action
March 26, 2025, 5:24 pm
Location: United States, Colorado, Boulder
Employees: 1001-5000
Founded date: 1961
In Lafayette, Colorado, a storm brews over Baseline Road. This thoroughfare, with its two lanes in each direction, has become a dangerous stretch for pedestrians. Recently, two students were struck by vehicles within hours of each other. The incidents have ignited a firestorm of concern among residents. Parents, alarmed by the rising number of accidents, are demanding change. They argue that speed is the enemy.
The road is wide and inviting, a siren song for speeding drivers. Residents like Duhaime have voiced their fears. He believes that visibility isn’t the issue; it’s the speed. When drivers fly down Baseline, they become blind to the dangers ahead. By the time they see a pedestrian, it’s too late.
In response to the crashes, the Indian Peaks neighborhood formed the Indian Peaks Crosswalk Action team. Their mission? To ensure students can cross the road safely. Volunteers like Kristin Zangrilli and Kaye Krebs have stepped up, but they know this is a temporary fix. Brightly colored flags are available for pedestrians, but flags alone won’t save lives.
Zangrilli describes the road as a racetrack. Cars zoom past, eager to overtake slower vehicles. Krebs echoes this sentiment, noting that the second lane encourages reckless driving. It’s a drag race waiting to happen. Every morning, the scene repeats. Cars speed, and pedestrians hold their breath.
The statistics are alarming. Two students hit in less than 18 hours is a wake-up call. Zangrilli warns that without significant changes, it’s only a matter of time before another pedestrian is struck. The community’s patience is wearing thin.
In response, the Lafayette Police Department has ramped up enforcement. Since September 2024, over 370 traffic citations have been issued along Baseline Road. Yet, enforcement alone isn’t enough. The city is exploring various strategies to improve safety.
Temporary measures have been implemented. A median made of concrete blocks and orange cones has been placed at the Roser Drive crosswalk. This is a small step, but it’s not a permanent solution. The city is also waiting for radar signs that will display drivers’ speeds. Awareness is key, but it’s not a cure-all.
Lafayette is working on a Safe Routes to Schools Action Plan. This initiative aims to create safer pathways for students walking or biking to school. Sidewalk improvements and traffic calming measures are on the table. The city has also requested $900,000 from the Colorado Department of Transportation for improvements along 95th Street. This intersection is crucial, as it could potentially house a pedestrian underpass.
The Vision Zero Action Plan is another initiative in the works. This plan will analyze traffic crashes and identify risk factors. The goal is to create specific recommendations to enhance traffic safety. Residents have been invited to share their thoughts through a recent survey.
While residents appreciate the city’s efforts, there’s a sense of urgency. Krebs and Zangrilli want to see changes implemented sooner rather than later. The community is tired of waiting. They want action, not just promises.
The road is a battleground. On one side, the need for speed. On the other, the safety of pedestrians. It’s a delicate balance. Lafayette must find a way to protect its residents while accommodating traffic.
The stakes are high. Every day, students cross Baseline Road. Every day, parents worry. The community is rallying for change. They want a safer environment for their children.
As the city moves forward, it must prioritize safety. Speed limits need to be enforced. Road designs must be reconsidered. The community deserves a road that protects, not endangers.
In the end, it’s about more than just traffic. It’s about lives. It’s about ensuring that students can walk to school without fear. Lafayette stands at a crossroads. The choices made today will shape the future.
The community is watching. They are ready to hold their leaders accountable. They want to see real change. The time for action is now. Lafayette must rise to the occasion. The safety of its residents depends on it.
In the heart of this community, a movement is brewing. Residents are uniting for a common cause. They are advocating for a safer Baseline Road. It’s a fight worth having. The lives of students hang in the balance.
Lafayette, it’s time to act. The road ahead must be safe for all. The community is counting on you.
The road is wide and inviting, a siren song for speeding drivers. Residents like Duhaime have voiced their fears. He believes that visibility isn’t the issue; it’s the speed. When drivers fly down Baseline, they become blind to the dangers ahead. By the time they see a pedestrian, it’s too late.
In response to the crashes, the Indian Peaks neighborhood formed the Indian Peaks Crosswalk Action team. Their mission? To ensure students can cross the road safely. Volunteers like Kristin Zangrilli and Kaye Krebs have stepped up, but they know this is a temporary fix. Brightly colored flags are available for pedestrians, but flags alone won’t save lives.
Zangrilli describes the road as a racetrack. Cars zoom past, eager to overtake slower vehicles. Krebs echoes this sentiment, noting that the second lane encourages reckless driving. It’s a drag race waiting to happen. Every morning, the scene repeats. Cars speed, and pedestrians hold their breath.
The statistics are alarming. Two students hit in less than 18 hours is a wake-up call. Zangrilli warns that without significant changes, it’s only a matter of time before another pedestrian is struck. The community’s patience is wearing thin.
In response, the Lafayette Police Department has ramped up enforcement. Since September 2024, over 370 traffic citations have been issued along Baseline Road. Yet, enforcement alone isn’t enough. The city is exploring various strategies to improve safety.
Temporary measures have been implemented. A median made of concrete blocks and orange cones has been placed at the Roser Drive crosswalk. This is a small step, but it’s not a permanent solution. The city is also waiting for radar signs that will display drivers’ speeds. Awareness is key, but it’s not a cure-all.
Lafayette is working on a Safe Routes to Schools Action Plan. This initiative aims to create safer pathways for students walking or biking to school. Sidewalk improvements and traffic calming measures are on the table. The city has also requested $900,000 from the Colorado Department of Transportation for improvements along 95th Street. This intersection is crucial, as it could potentially house a pedestrian underpass.
The Vision Zero Action Plan is another initiative in the works. This plan will analyze traffic crashes and identify risk factors. The goal is to create specific recommendations to enhance traffic safety. Residents have been invited to share their thoughts through a recent survey.
While residents appreciate the city’s efforts, there’s a sense of urgency. Krebs and Zangrilli want to see changes implemented sooner rather than later. The community is tired of waiting. They want action, not just promises.
The road is a battleground. On one side, the need for speed. On the other, the safety of pedestrians. It’s a delicate balance. Lafayette must find a way to protect its residents while accommodating traffic.
The stakes are high. Every day, students cross Baseline Road. Every day, parents worry. The community is rallying for change. They want a safer environment for their children.
As the city moves forward, it must prioritize safety. Speed limits need to be enforced. Road designs must be reconsidered. The community deserves a road that protects, not endangers.
In the end, it’s about more than just traffic. It’s about lives. It’s about ensuring that students can walk to school without fear. Lafayette stands at a crossroads. The choices made today will shape the future.
The community is watching. They are ready to hold their leaders accountable. They want to see real change. The time for action is now. Lafayette must rise to the occasion. The safety of its residents depends on it.
In the heart of this community, a movement is brewing. Residents are uniting for a common cause. They are advocating for a safer Baseline Road. It’s a fight worth having. The lives of students hang in the balance.
Lafayette, it’s time to act. The road ahead must be safe for all. The community is counting on you.