Wolfe Pointe Safety Initiative

Wolfe Pointe Safety Initiative Update 11/22/25

Greetings from the Wolfe Pointe Traffic Calming & Safety Committee!

In case you missed the WP annual meeting last week (or were not able to stay to the end) here is our

latest UPDATE:

The Traffic Calming & Safety Committee was recently re-assembled and has now met 3 times in the past 2 months. We have been gathering information and working on a proposal to recommend to the board, which is based on the following guiding principles:

Safety (for pedestrians/bikers/drivers)

Minimal intrusivity

Fiscal responsibility

Aesthetics

Transparency of information

Neighborly respect

The board has performed traffic/speed studies for the past 3 years. These studies have consistently

identified a speed/safety issue with regard to the statistic of 85th percentile speed. The 85th percentile speed is a data point primarily used by traffic engineers to determine what an

appropriate speed limit should be for a given roadway. It indicates the speed at which a majority of

drivers feel safe driving, based on their current perception of road characteristics. Our main roads in Wolfe Pointe are wide and open, and according to the data, a substantial number of drivers feel safe going 30/31 mph, which is not surprising. It should also be noted that 15 percent of drivers in WP go faster than that.

In light of the fact that Wolfe Pointe is a residential area with a safety concern for the many pedestrians, bikers and children, our speed limit has been decidedly set at 25 mph. Research has shown a significant increase in the likelihood of serious pedestrian injury/fatality in a collision at at 30+ mph vs 25 mph.

As a committee, we are operating based on the conclusion that there is an ongoing speed/safety issue that requires a thoughtful response. According to the data it is not an egregious speed issue, but the need to address the identified safety concern, related to speed, is legitimate.

The task of coming up with a plan that is in proportion to the issue we have, has any potential to be

effective throughout the miles of community road and does not break the bank is a challenging one.

We are also mindful of the fact that no matter what method is implemented to address these issues, none will be 100 percent effective. Unfortunately, there will always be a subset of drivers who chose to disregard speed limits and safety concerns.

The pros and cons of various strategies are being carefully considered in order to make a viable

recommendation to the board that best addresses the interests of Wolfe Pointe residents. Our

committee’s formal recommendation will be presented to the board at their next regular monthly meeting (mid January). Upon board approval, full information on the new proposed plan will be rolled out to the community, and property owners will have ample opportunity to give feedback and ask questions.

Thank you for your patience and continued interest in this matter. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

neighbors!

Sincerely,

Wolfe Pointe Traffic Calming & Safety Committee

Wolfe Pointe – Improving Safety

1. Our focus at this time is community outreach and education in WP (Newsletter Notes, Emails and Mailings)

2. Drivers need to SLOW DOWN and obey the posted speed limit…..Be Attentive! Put the phone DOWN! The traffic monitoring data we collected shows that our average speeds are over 30 MPH.

3. No distracted driving, walking, cycling, scootering, etc. (Be Aware!)

4. Recommend cyclists wear protective headgear - regardless of age.

5. Pedestrians and dog walkers should wear brightly colored clothing, especially at night and in the early morning (be visible) use flashlights and headlamps in the dark hours.

6. Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic when possible.

7. Initially the board will be asking residents to Slow Down and take the necessary precautions when in community open space – observe speed limits – Be Attentive!

8. Perform another round of speed monitoring in 6-12 months to determine if recommended measures are working.

What To Do If Things Do Not Improve?...............

1. Additional signage and interactive speed monitoring equipment may be necessary to warn drivers of excessive speed.

2. The installation of traffic calming measures (striping of pavement to narrow travel lanes, reduced speed limits, stop signs, speed humps/bumps, speed tables, etc.) may be our only recourse.

3. All of these measures will cost money and impact annual POA fees.

Wolfe Pointe Safety Initiative 2023

Our overall goal is a calmer and safer neighborhood based on community input

1. Do We Have A Problem?.....The general consensus is YES!

2. The Wolfe Pointe Board wants everyone to know moving into 2024, Safety Is Our Primary Focus

3. We have reviewed the DelDOT Traffic Calming Design Manual (2012) for Delaware

4. We all know speed and reckless/distracted driving kills

5. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS) found that severeinjury for a pedestrian reaches 10% at an impact speed of 16 MPH, 25% at 23 MPH, 50% at 31 MPH, 75% at 39 MPH and 90% at 46 MPH.

6. A UK study also found that someone hit by a car at 30 MPH is 5 times more likely to be killed than a car traveling at 20 MPH (50% vs 10%). At 40 MPH the likelihood of death rises to 90%!

7. Drivers need to SLOW DOWN and obey the posted speed limit…..Be Attentive! Put the Phone DOWN! The traffic monitoring data we collected shows that our average speeds are over 30 MPH.

8. In addition, pedestrians and bike riders need to be proactive – Be Visible! (pedestrians and bikers get distracted, too! – Everyone using our roadways needs to Pay Attention) Use a light at night so You Can Be Seen!

9. Walkers, stay to the left side of the road, facing traffic, when possible

10. The Board may choose to perform another round of traffic monitoring in 6-12 months to determine if there has been any improvement. All of the options being considered will cost money, so voluntary compliance and Improved Safety will Benefit Us All.

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