San Elijo Residents Fight for Safe Streets

Residents in the North County community of San Elijo are shining a spotlight on the need for safer streets after a series of crashes.

Drivers coming down San Elijo North across Elfin Forest Road into a 25 mph zone aren’t always following the law.

“People are always flying down this hill,” said San Elijo resident Sophia Russell, referring to the intersection.

An accident on the street Tuesday illustrates the danger stoking residents’ concern – especially with San Elijo Middle School just a block away.

“My worst fear is the worst case scenario,” said Marta Mac Ban. “Someone getting killed."

Mac Ban is one of the San Elijo Hills residents who plan to ban together and the San Marcos City Council to make the streets safer.

“People just clearly don’t obey the traffic laws,” exclaimed Mac Ban.

“You always have to wait five seconds to cross the road after a red light because someone is going to hit you even if it’s red,” added Russell.

San Elijo Hills residents have started an online group and are planning to meet Monday to brainstorm about a cohesive solution to their traffic concerns.

“It’s been an ongoing issue for years now,” said Mac Ban. “Nothing’s been done. “

Flashing yellow warning lights, signs with flashing LED lights around them and radar signs showing your speed are just a few of the suggestions the San Marcos city engineer says are possibilities.

“I think those are all good options,” said Mac Ban.

Options Mac Ban hopes are installed quickly to help protect her and her 2-year-old daughter from accidents like the one in San Marcos on West Mission Road and Comet Circle Thursday in which a teenage driver hit and injured two children crossing the street.

“Protect our residents and protect our streets and ensure everyone’s safety. Not just for the residents but the drivers too,” she added.

City engineer Mike Edwards says a town hall meeting is being planned to discuss safety measures residents would like to see put in place. The date hasn’t been set yet.

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