OXFORD, MD - Residents on Tilghman Street in Oxford, a small street devoid of sidewalks, have voiced apprehensions about speeding cars causing safety issues in their neighborhood.
Will Cawley, a resident on Tilghman Street, expressed the heightened anxiety among neighbors, stating, "When we hear a car coming, we kind of get in panic mode a little bit."
Responding to these concerns, the town took action by installing a three-way stop, Friday morning, after Cawley and other residents brought the matter to the attention of local authorities.
"We're hoping it gives us a little bit of a break, and it's not just a straight shot where everybody speeds," added Cawley.
However, not everyone in town agrees that the three-way stop is necessary. Thomas Baker, an Oxford resident, downplayed the severity of the issue, stating, "I don't see it as a big problem here. If it's speeding, it's 28 in a 25, or something with some exceptions obviously. Enforcement is a good thing, but is it a major problem? I don't think so."
Town Commission President Tom Costigan, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of the three-way stop as a measure to address speeding concerns throughout the town.
"Today we have cars that can go 0 to 60 in 2 seconds, so we have to react to that," said Costigan.
He revealed that speeding issues have been widespread, prompting the town to implement the three-way stop as the initial step in slowing down drivers. Costigan disclosed that the town has long sought the installation of a speed camera on Oxford Road, a project that has faced considerable challenges.
"Our town actually, for years, was trying to get a speed camera put out on the Oxford Road, and to say that has been a struggle has been the understatement of the year," Costigan explained.
Although the town has received state approval for the speed camera project, securing a third-party contractor has proven difficult. Costigan also outlined additional measures, including the installation of a crosswalk on the main road, across from the park and the Scottish Highland Creamery, as part of a multifaceted approach to address speeding concerns in the area.
In summary, the three-way stop on Tilghman Street is just one of several initiatives the town is undertaking to tackle the issue of speeding cars, with plans for a speed camera and a crosswalk in the near future.