Feel awkward that I put this on neighbourhood WhatsApp group

[Alwaysgotshadeson]

Nice neighbourhood, cul de sac roads.
One neighbour was posting about how she was putting it to the council to put speed bumps on the main road near to our roads, that runs to the beach.
I posted to say it would also be good if they could put speed bumps on our roads as we have kids, dogs, a toddler in the road etc and it’s a cul de sac.
A few of the neighbours rag it down the road when it’s a quiet area and a cul de sac and there’s absolutely no need. A few of my Dc’s pals are starting to get a little more independence and knock on each others doors. I stand at my gate and watch my Dc as i’m so paranoid of cars (maybe it’s just me) we also have a little toddler on the street that goes for gentle walks with his mum and various dogs and cats and so on. I didn’t mention anyone on the chat obviously but hope it hasn’t offended anyone or seemed like I’m complaining?

Totally innocuous message but might get a few eye rolls. There no way the council will invest in speed bumps for a little side road. I’ve seen some with notices up on posts about driving carefully so you could lobby for that if you have a neighbourhood group.

I live in a similar cul de sac situation. I’m half way ‘up’ towards the main road and the people who live at the ‘bottom’ end have sometimes picked up quite a speed by the time they get to mine. I put a comment years ago on the chat asking everyone to watch their speed and yes it probs got eye rolls, but everyone lowered their speed so job done. Actually
might send another message to remind folk soon 😂

I’m worried people may think ‘Is she talking about me’ or well you should keep an eye on your kids…but honestly for some there is no need to drive that fast. I’m so not that complainer type of annoying person, but it’s one of my fears

It’s literally the only thing that bothers me, all the other meaningless crap they post 😅 this is a serious one though. I don’t get why you’d come flying down the road when it’s a cul de sac bottom part

Nobody has liked it or replied like they did to the previous message from the neighbour posting about the main road to the beach, so i’m feeling 🙈
Tbh you expect cars to go more quickly on that road and I wouldn’t go down it walking in summer. She’s complaining about cyclists having to be worried, it’s more important our kids on our road and when you step out to go to your car
The worst recently which really made me want to post anyway was our next door neighbours teen has passed his test and has a new car and the speed at which he flew down the road one day honestly scared me, made me feel sick

Roads are for cars not toddlers and dogs. Even cul de sacs. I get kids play in residential quiet roads but not till they’re old enough to move out of the way of traffic. Speed bumps aren’t a way to make it safe for toddlers and dogs to roam free. If people are breaking the speed limit, that’s a separate issue to report.

Not to play in the street, they don’t do that, to walk on the street or cross the road though they should be safe
Some people def do go too fast for a road like this

Not just kids, all of us, to come out of our homes to walk the dogs etc

I agree with you OP. I also live on a residential cul-de-sac and some do drive much too fast for the type of road it is. There are no footpaths (it’s too narrow) so even to call next door you have to walk on the road itself. It’s usually quiet, luckily, and most people do take care, but there are a few who don’t. I don’t know what they’re thinking. I doubt they do think actually.

Don't wrry about it. You can have a different opinion to your neighbours. You can not like them going fast down the road. It's fine.

I currently live in a different continent and one thing they do here instead of speed bumps on some residential roads is bump out the pavement every 20 yards or so on alternating sides and stick a tree there. It increases greenery and slows cars.

Probably more expensive than speed bumps, and can reduce on road parking. so might not be suitable or achievable either, but it makes streets much nicer to be a pedestrian on.

A bit like this:

Okay well maybe it just wasn't clear. You said you're worried people will think you should keep an eye on your kids, implying they're out there unsupervised.

You seem very anxious about what people think of you. Who cares? You shared an opinion. Stand by it.

They’re all my neighbours though who I have to see

Photo doesn't seem to have shown, so trying again:

I really wouldn't worry about it. Does it even matter if people don't agree or worry you're talking about them?

(As an aside, I'm not sure I understand the logic of you watching your dc from your gate because you're worried about the cars - what could you do from the gate if something happened?)

It’s fine, OP. A very mild post, with valid reasons.

don’t give it a second thought.

You hardly went "oi dickhead at number 5, you drive like a twat!" so I don't really get why you're so bothered by this tbh.

I always think when comments get made and people get defensive, it speaks volumes about them.... That's their problem!

I shouldn’t worry - I doubt anyone will remember the comment, or who made it, by the end of this evening!
It’s not inflammatory or insulting. Honestly, everyone will have moved on long ago. Most people don’t think about these local posts for any longer than it takes to read them, unless they’re particularly outrageous, which yours clearly wasn’t!

Roads are not just for cars, they are also for cyclists and for pedestrians when the need to cross or where there is no pavement. They are also used by animals who are not aware of the Highway Code. Drivers need to consider all of this, not just assume they can always drive at the speed limit.

Exactly