Distracted Driving On Darien Street: Resident

DARIEN, IL – Darien resident Dave Kaduk says speeding and distracted driving are problems on 67th Street, where he lives.

In an email last week to Patch, Kaduk said people use 67th to cut through from Route 83 to Cass Avenue, often speeding 45 mph in a 25 mph zone.

He said his mailbox has been hit and destroyed over and over again.

"This is not about an inexpensive mailbox, however; it's about the safety of the residents of 67th street," Kaduk said in the email. "The mailbox serves as an example of what can happen when a driver isn't paying attention to the road."

Kaduk created a "Slow Down 67th" website and a Change.org petition, which has collected 10 signatures as of Thursday.

Many sections of the street contain no sidewalks. Kaduk said residents on 67th want to see permanent solutions to deter speeding and distracted driving.

Patch asked Darien officials about the situation.

In an email, Dan Gombac, the city's director of municipal services, said Darien has taken a number of steps to deal with the problem.

They include the installation of flashing speed signs, speed studies, coordination with the police for patrols, and repaving, alignment and striping.

Gombac said residents also expressed interest in speed humps. Under Darien's policy, the city needed petition signatures for speed humps, but residents did not follow through, he said.

Now, the city is planning a traffic-calming project for 67th. The work consists of lane delineators to narrow the road, Gombac said.

The project, he said, also includes restriping and signage.

"Vehicles will be forced to slow down based on the nature of the setting of the equipment," Gombac said in an interview.

Because of ongoing supply issues, he said, the city won't receive the products for the project for four or five weeks.