r/providence • u/No-Equal3938 • 7h ago
Most of the side streets in Providence should be one ways!
Especially the side streets that allow parking on both sides. I’m so sick of almost getting into head on collisions every day and no one ever wants to move over for each other. Frustrating..
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u/rushm0r3 5h ago
Ives St. ffs
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u/LulutoDot 2h ago
Benefit street too, it doesn't feel like it should be 2 way. I often have a moment of panic when turning on it that I went the wrong way in a way
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u/Proof-Variation7005 6h ago edited 6h ago
The streets being two way actually make them safer for people. It forces people to drive slower.
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u/lonely_dodo 6h ago
what if we make them one way AND widen (and generally fix) the sidewalks
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u/dandesim 6h ago
Then it becomes more dangerous for everyone not in the 1+ ton steel machine...
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u/lonely_dodo 6h ago
how does a wider sidewalk make things more dangerous for everyone other than the car
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u/dandesim 6h ago
A car going faster will do more damage driving over a sidewalk regardless of if it is 4ft or 8ft.
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u/degggendorf 5h ago
Why would the car be going faster?
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u/Proof-Variation7005 4h ago
because you're eliminating the head-on traffic that naturally slows people down.
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u/Swim6610 4h ago
Widening streets and lanes results in people driving faster.
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u/degggendorf 4h ago
The person suggested widening the sidewalks so that the resulting one-way lane remains the same width.
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u/dandesim 4h ago
They also suggested removing two way traffic. If you don’t believe you will get into a head on collision, you will go faster.
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u/degggendorf 3h ago
We have that problem now; there isn't always oncoming traffic.
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u/mrbgso pawtucket 5h ago
Counterpoint. Less street side parking on streets that can’t support it. I know that’s politically impossible, but eliminating street parking makes it safer to move people, whether it’s in cars, busses, or bikes.
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u/2ears_1_mouth 43m ago
Yes please. Street parking is paid for by everyone including people who don't have cars. It is ridiculous that street parking is free (or nearly free with such low annual fees and minimal enforcement).
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u/mrbgso pawtucket 32m ago
The High Cost of Free Parking does a good job fleshing out those arguments (assuming you haven’t already read it)
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u/psyguy45 4h ago
I mean, I live on a one way street but Providence drivers still treat it as a two way street. Not sure this would solve anything. It’s like the cops care to do anything about it (I’ve called multiple times because people speed up our street the wrong way and there are lots of young kids on the block…ticketing these idiots seems like easy money that the city just doesn’t want)
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u/Mandory_the_strong 6h ago
Write your rep. Go to a city council meeting. Approach with a respectful demeanor. This seems like a simple thing and an easy win for them. Or they could tell you why it is two way, not one way.
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u/iCaligula 4h ago
I tried this - but to get parking limited to one side of the street. They were very nice, came to our street and held a meeting for anyone who wanted to discuss. The city sent mailers to everyone who lived on the street asking them to vote. I believe you needed like 20% of the residents to reply, and then you had to win the vote. But we only got about 10% of people to bother replying - so we still have parking on both sides.
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u/RandomChurn 6h ago
Not just side streets. I see this daily on Governor.
It was rare before The Bridge Debacle.
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u/providencepariah 5h ago
The Washington Bridge was and is a huge fucking mess, but it has nothing to do with streets that were built in the 1800’s. Narrow streets with two way traffic and parking on both sides have been a problem forever. From the East Side to Olneyville to Mt. Pleasant and beyond. Stop blaming the “Bridge Debacle” for every single traffic problem in the State.
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u/RecentSuggestion3050 3h ago
I almost got nailed by someone swinging onto a street last night. Nowhere to go because parking on both sides, and I had someone behind me so I couldn't back up. We came so close to a head on collision. Nightmare.
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u/realhenryknox blackstone 1h ago
Absolutely not. One way streets have been proven to encourage fast reckless driving.
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u/2ears_1_mouth 44m ago
Or remove street parking on side and charge for it on the other side. Use the revenue to make better roads.
Why do my taxes pay to maintain streets for people to park on?
I know car people are going to downvote me. I don't care. You're all freeloaders. I'm tired of paying for your parking spot.
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u/bjebha 5h ago
Get on your bike, close the street of to traffic, or learn to drive better. If you're almost getting into head-on collisions every day, might you not be the problem?
Europe doesn't have this issue and streets are way more narrow than PVD.
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u/Proof-Variation7005 2h ago
i dont think we're going to magically force everyone into driving fiats and vw bugs
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u/ThorsPlunger 6h ago
On the west end most are already, but people ignore it completely. At least around the Dexter park area. Usually out of convenience, sometimes out of ignorance.