Does a tragic year on Abilene streets have your attention yet?
Last week was not a good one for those on Abilene streets.
The high-speed crash on Ambler Avenue that killed a 13-year-old boy in a stolen car driven by another 13-year-old boy was shocking, in many ways.
It marked the 18th traffic fatality of the year, putting us two ahead of 2021, not even halfway through the year.
The number of fatal wrecks - 14 - prompted Abilene police to monitor traffic more closely. You've seen more police SUVs on streets and parked in strategic locations to slow traffic.
There is no common thread to these crashes but we all should agree that paying more attention to driving and motoring at the speed limit helps.
On Thursday, police announced results of "Operation Slow Down."
Over a two-week period, police made 456 stops and issued 394 citations.
Five arrests were made.
The four teenagers who risked their lives on our roads, and ultimately lost one, sadly stands out.
And then there was the collision between a pickup truck driver and a youth on a Bird scooter. Blame seemed to fall on the scooter operator, who turned in front of the pickup on Grape Street. Also, the rider was not 18, which is a scooter requirement.
Scooters are allowed in a zone that covers most of Abilene. Thus, usage is not limited to downtown or on or near college campuses.
Scooters can go 25 mph, which is fine downtown or on campus, but slower than most traffic. Especially traffic that has been speeding along.
There are lights on scooters for night use, but those are not as visible as most vehicle lights and obviously low to the ground.
We're not sure use on major thoroughfares, such as Grape Street, is a good idea.
Some downtown residents and business owners are complaining about usage, with scooter operators accused of driving the wrong way on one-way streets.
Though banned on sidewalks, some Bird users are ignoring that regulation.
And driving the First Financial Bank parking garage, which clearly states that is prohibited.
A video shot by Kayla Christianson, who with her husband lives atop the Hotel Windsor, shows Bird users blocking traffic.
Riding a scooter is enjoyable, and we've seen all ages using them. With less traffic and less heat at night, usage when the sun goes down makes sense.
But risks rise, too, especially with downtown more alive at night, especially weekends.
Scooter users could lose a good thing if traffic laws and other prohibitions are not obeyed. We had scooters before, then they went away.
It could happen again.
Responsibility on our streets falls to everyone, not just the other guy.
With half of 2022 still to go, we need a drastic change in Abilene.
Slow down. Pay attention to driving. Obey the laws.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Does a tragic year on Abilene streets have your attention yet?
