I like the photo's recreation of Abbey Road.

The answer really is to slow traffic down. It may actually improve traffic flow.
Just like we're told that running for an exit in a fire is counter to everyone getting out safely, drivers rushing about trying to be first or get ahead/stay ahead is counter to public safety as well as the flow of traffic. Aggressive driving creates stopping/starting of other drivers around them which impacts traffic flow.
If we remove the opportunity for aggressive drivers to become aggressive, it will benefit the greater population of drivers.

What did they do when traffic started jamming 101 on the on-ramps?
They installed metering lights forcing cars to slow/stop. Traffic flow improved greatly on 101 at these old choke points.

The time has come...Too many lives lost and too much blood has been spilled on our roads, some of it our children's blood.
Glad to hear the council is ready to act. We're on the right path.
Way to go MV!

Don't wait for the city to take action. You can slow down your car right now. There is no reason to drive faster than 15mph in a school zone.

I think you mean a "slough".

"I like the photo's recreation of Abbey Road."

The photo shows kids not paying attention. That's half the recipe for an accident.

Well said "sdapa". Unfortunately the people who would heed your advice are already doing it. I'm very excited to see the what the proposed changes finally bring.

*City Council, pleeease do not drag your feet and waste money on endless studies for this one. Planning well does not need to take 3 years. Lets show the surrounding cities what MV is capable of...much more than just leading the way on the SC trail construction.
Lets get moving MV :)

Oh please Steve. A split-second snapshot showing people talking while in an active school zone crosswalk, with zero cars on the road down to El Camino and you've decided they would be 50% responsible if they got hit? Nope, not buying that one at all.

They already paid attention and crossed when it was safe. That's my take.
Anyway, these kids are 100% safe because there are no speeding cars on the road. Despite the fact that their eyes were not fixed up road for the entire crossing.

Whatever actions are taken... will they represent the wishes of the majority of Mtn View citizens, or will they be taken to placate the vocal activists? Does the majority really want traffic dammed up as proposed?

@Reaching -

"They already paid attention and crossed when it was safe. That's my take."

Really?

Web Link

The local police could actually DO THEIR JOBS and give citations to people who USE THEIR CELLPHONES AND TURN THEIR CARS INTO 4,000 LB. KILLING MACHINES! ... as it is, the police don't think it's worth their time to write citations because so little $$$ comes back to the city as a result of the citation. Both PEDESTRIANS and DRIVERS are SO wrapped up in their cellphones that the rest of us are put IN DANGER of injury or worse. RAISE THE 1ST TIME OFFENSE CITATION FOR USING A CELLPHONE WHILE DRIVING TO $1,000 + 6 MO. SUSPENDED LICENSE and no exceptions for driving to work or school. THAT will get people's attention, and if it doesn't, at least the police feel that their important time is spent usefully. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE MOWED DOWN BY IGNORANT AND ARROGANT DRIVERS USING THEIR CELLPHONES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO PROTECT THE REST OF US???

WAKE UP PEOPLE! Being in a crosswalk doesn't make you invincible. If a car hits you, you STILL might be dead. LOOK BOTH WAYS! Those that disregard common sense (or have none to begin with) could be our next examples of Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection.

The slow way is the fastest way sometimes. I agree that changes are needed in the roads. Its time...enough dead and enough bleeding children in front of their schools...actually looking back now, change is overdue.

Let's not kill the baby with the bath water. The high volume time at Graham lasts for about 20 minutes in the morning. After that stretch, children are in school and parent drivers have left.

Slow the limits, and have safety solutions during that time period. How about no parking or drop offs along the curb from 7:30 - 8:00? That would leave more room for bikes and would take out the unpredictability of sudden and unexpected car movements. Add in crossing guards everyday. Ticket drivers breaking the the law...which includes unsafe driving even if at or below the speed limit.

Those actions would be sufficient. Again, the congestion is for a short and well identified period of time.

Michael McTighe of Greentown Los Altos “Look at Arastradero Road (in Palo Alto). It's a great example of a road diet that's worked."

Worked for whom? McTighe should talk to residents on Maybell and other neighbothood streets that are bearing the brunt of the Arastradero "road diet."

“... traffic volume rose in three areas within the Barron Park neighborhood: Maybell Avenue and Maybell Court; Maybell Avenue and Pena Court; and Matadero Avenue at Josina Court. The traffic count at Maybell and Pena rose significantly from 2,700 vehicles to 3,348 daily since the trial changes, according to the study. … Chief Transportation Official Jaime Rodriguez admitted a speed survey had not been done along the cut-through routes."
Web Link

That’s a 24% increase on just one of the neighborhood streets which frustrated drivers – and bicyclists – are using to avoid the traffic jams on Arastradero.

Be aware of unintended consequences.

Schools generate enormous amounts of traffic - with two journeys (in & out) per student concentrated into a short time period.
Has anyone seen this bit of Castro jammed busy at any other time of day ?

The kids, parents and infrastructure would all benefit if it was safe for them to power themselves to school. No need to take a large steel box along for the ride.

Drivers in Los Altos report that it's a whole lot saner around the schools. No clogging side streets because each student walking eliminates 4 car trips and takes a tenth of the space.

Finally what a great opportunity to teach our youngest citizens to be responsible safe road users. Kudos to the Police dept and City for sponsoring traffic safety training.

I was born and raised in Mountain View in the 60's-70's. Funny how there were FAR fewer problems with traffic and the city wasn't 90% "international people" who aren't good drivers. Then, you add all the high-stressed workers not thinking about driving - more like texting, talking on the phone.

So glad I moved to Brentwood where people are cautious, better schools, way better people, and most people aren't starring down at their stupid computers all day.

I never in all the years at Bubb, Graham, and Awalt (Now Mt. View High) did we have any kids get hit by a car.

@Formernative -

The only downside about moving to Brentwood is that you have to live there.

> never in all the years at Bubb, Graham, and Awalt (Now Mt. View High) did we have any kids get hit by a car.

You might want to research your facts instead of make them up.