Safety With High Traffic Volume

                                              

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department is expecting an extremely high traffic volume with the numerous events taking place this weekend in Door County.  We would like to offer some suggestions to motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, to ensure everyone has safe travels in the city.   As we approach the weekend, traffic flow will increase and we need everyone to have extra patience!

Drivers

1)     Plan ahead and allow extra travel time, especially during peak traffic times. 

·         Expect backups in the city on Friday from 3:00-8:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am-5:00pm.   

·         Officers will be directing traffic along the detour route as needed during peak times, especially at Madison/Maple and Michigan/3^rd.

2)     Please be courteous and respectful to all drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.  

·         Visitors do not know our city streets as well as we do.  You will get behind slow or lost drivers, and appreciate the fact they choose to visit our fine city.

3)     Give semi-trucks and large delivery vehicles space to make their turns. 

·         Preventing them from turning only backs up traffic.  Be assured, the semi drivers don’t enjoy traveling through the city streets either.

4)     Avoid left hand turns if possible, especially at major intersections.  Left hand turns back up traffic and increases your chance of having a serious injury accident.

·         Intersections to avoid left hand turns include:

-   Madison Ave @ Maple St (locations in bold had most accidents in 2013 detour)

-  1^st Ave @ Michigan St

-  5^th Ave @ Michigan St

-  4th & 5th Ave @ Jefferson St

-  Neenah Ave @ E Maple St

-  8^th Ave @ Egg Harbor Rd

Example #1: East bound traffic on W Maple St, instead of turning left onto N Madison Ave to cross the Michigan St Bridge, please go straight and use the Maple-Oregon St Bridge. 

Example #2: North bound traffic on Madison Ave, either turn off before Maple St and go down Lansing Ave to get to W Maple St, or continue through the intersection and turn onto Larch St and go up Lansing Ave. 

Example #3: If you need to take Neenah Ave, use the Maple-Oregon St Bridge, and avoid having to turn left at the Madison/Maple stop lights.

Example #4: Right turns onto Michigan St from 1^st Ave are the safest.  Avoid left hand turns and crossing Michigan St, which causes most of the accidents.

Bicyclists

1)     Obey all traffic laws.  Not only is it the law, it shows respect to the drivers.

·         The biggest complaint we receive on bicycles is they don’t stop at stop signs. 

2)     Ride single file on heavy traffic streets. 

3)     Wear your helmet.

4)     Wear bright, high visibility clothing.

Pedestrians

1)     Cross a street only at a marked crosswalk or intersection. 

2)     Never dart out into traffic hoping to beat a vehicle. 

3)     To safely cross the street, take one step into the crosswalk and stop to make sure drivers see you and stop.       

4)     Please use the sidewalks.  Do not walk/run in the street.

The patience we display will have a lasting impact on our fellow citizens and visitors.  Enjoy the beauty of our city and county, and slow down when using the streets.  Thank you!