GUSTINE – Though small in number, residents voicing concerns before the Traffic Safety Committee were unanimous in their assessment of the city’s most pressing traffic concerns: People drive too fast and too carelessly, with little regard to stop signs.

That’s a recipe for tragedy, two speakers and one letter-writer told the advisory group at a recent meeting.

The concerns came as no surprise, said Sgt. Jim Hamera who chairs the committee, as they reflect common complaints about behavior behind the wheel.

Hamera said complaints are not limited to any one area of the community; nor do they single out any single age group.

“People seem to think that if they’ve lived here all their life they don’t have to obey the laws,” one speaker complained to the committee. “They think that they have a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

Those sharing their concerns with the committee asked that the city step up traffic enforcement, and suggested the installation of speed bumps or additional stop signs to slow traffic in problem areas.

Police Chief Richard Calderon assured the speakers that patrol officers have been making an increased number of traffic stops and said he believes traffic citations are up significantly on the year.

Police, he said, are more than willing to enforce traffic laws but also face limitations – staffing is limited, and in most cases an officer has to witness the infraction to issue a citation.

Hamera said last week that he has advised all officers of the traffic-related complaints and requests for additional enforcement efforts.

The committee had invited the community to share its traffic-related concerns at the meeting, and will do so again in the future, Hamera said. “I thought it was good feedback for the first meeting, and we will invite all interested community members to attend our July 23 meeting as well,” Hamera commented. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

Several other topics were discussed at the recent committee meeting. They included:

• Truck-related issues at Morningstar Foods. Hamera said company representatives promised to  educate drivers about parking restrictions in residential neighborhoods, and encouraged the police department to cite violators. Company representatives also sought the city’s assistance in resolving the issue of trucks being cited by the CHP for exceeding length standards on a restricted highway. Hamera said the city would investigate that situation to determine what options may be available.

• The possibility of conducting a study into the feasibility of installing a traffic circle at the intersection of West Avenue, 3rd Avenue and Lucerne Avenue.

• A request for a loading zone on 5th Avenue adjacent to the Valley Antique Mall.