Local

Neighbors say drivers use neighborhood to avoid detour

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors expected the sounds of construction, but they did not expect to hear cars peeling down their narrow 25 mph street.
 
"We no longer can safely walk on our sidewalks simply because we are afraid of accidents," said Kay Scime.
 
Scime saw the danger first hand Thursday, when her husband got in an accident just trying to pull into their driveway.
 
"As he was making a right turn, she hit him," she said.
 
Residents who typically parallel park have started parking farther away to make more space, but even with that the street is still tight.
 
Neighbors blame drivers who are ignoring thru traffic signs and a recommended detour.
 
A Charlotte Department of Transportation spokesperson told channel nine it is looking to add another detour sign and had crews talking with residents today to try and solve the problem.
 
It says there's nothing it can do to make people obey the thru traffic signs.
 
Scime who's moving to a new home on Tuesday is worried about whether her moving van will fit with all the traffic.
 
"We are going to have a big moving van here so it is going to stick out into the road with all those cars flying," Scime said.
 
The good news, if there is any, is the project isn't supposed to take long -- only a couple weeks.
 
In the meantime, CDOT said it will continue trying to get the word out that people need to take a detour and not cut through the neighborhood.