To the editor:

I am writing this letter on behalf of all of us who live on side streets in South Portland. I hope all of you who live on side streets don’t mind. This letter is addressed to those of you who use our streets as shortcuts.

I want to remind all of you that people actually do live on these side streets you are so fond of using as your personal racetracks – people who walk and bicycle and who have children and grandchildren and pets. On my street, Hill Street, some of the South Portland High School teams run as part of their workout routes. Lots of kids walk to and from school.

Yet too many people don’t think about how their actions affect others and they drive far too fast.

We have timed the difference between going to the light at the corner of Evans and Broadway and cutting down Hill Street. There is only a time savings if you drive like a maniac down Hill Street. Then when you get to Broadway or Evans no one lets you out anyway.

There are many streets in South Portland like ours. There isn’t enough space here to list them. If you go to the South Portland (Maine) Police Department Facebook page you will see their post about being more diligent about traffic violations. Many people have mentioned their streets and intersections.

Sadly, I don’t believe a lot of people won’t care one whit about this. Others though may read this and think, “I live on a side street and I wouldn’t like it if people drove that way here” and you might change your habit of speeding down other people’s side streets. That would be great.

Even if you save 30 seconds it isn’t worth being a jerk to the neighbors and endangering lives of people and their pets.

Kandi-Lee Hoy South Portland