On North Hill Avenue, Parents Fear the Worst from “Insane” Traffic

Neighbors living along North Hill Avenue organized a “Parkway Picnic and Protest” on Tuesday evening to draw attention to what they say are the reckless driving habits of an increasingly large number of motorists who speed up and down Hill Avenue north of the I-210.

The residents and their children took to the parkways with brightly colored signs reading “Slow Down” and “Are You Going 30 M.P.H.” Picnic blankets were spread out and numerous children took turns between waving signs and playing.

“We’re trying to get people to slow down,” explained North Hill Avenue resident Emily Moynihan. “The behavior of motorists these days is insane.”

Moynihan said she moved her family to the the Hill Avenue residence about a year ago from New York.

“Didn’t think [traffic] could be busier here than it was there,” she said. “Unfortunately it has been.”

“This is a neighborhood, not a freeway,” Moyhihan said.

Across the street, Beth McIlhenny agreed as she commanded a small army of youngsters carrying signs.

“We’ve lived on the street now for two years, and especially on our block, there are small children,” said Mcllhenny, one of the event’s primary organizers. “Typically, they play in the front yard, which is on Hill Avenue. The traffic in our area is supposed to be going 30 miles per hour, but it’s never that, especially during peak traffic hours. It’s a concern that we have.”

According to Mcllhenny, North Hill Avenue has some unique characteristics that make speeding on it very dangerous. For example, she said, it is the only north/south street with 210 on-ramps that is primarily only two lanes, and it is also the only street that connects to the freeway that is exclusively a residential street.

Mcllhenny says that speeding motorists are known to pass slower cars and take corners recklessly, endangering pedestrians, themselves and private residential properties.

“We just want to remind people that this is a neighborhood,” Mcllhenny said. “It’s not a highway, it’s not like Lake Avenue or Altadena [Drive].”

In March of 2013, a man was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter after recklessly driving drunk and killing another man who was pulling out of his driveway on Hill Avenue north of the 210.

The City of Pasadena has been aware of the situation on Hill Avenue for some time, and has been taking measures to ensure safety, said Councilmember Margaret McAustin of Pasadena’s second district.

“Following concerns expressed by the neighbors, I hosted a meeting in April of this year,” McAustin said. “Subsequently, Rich Dilluvio (Pasadena’s Senior Transportation Planner) organized a working group of neighbors to address concerns and develop solutions to the problems on Hill Avenue, especially speeding.”

“I’m delighted to have such strong participation by the neighbors to make Hill Avenue a safer environment for everyone,” McAustin said.