Buellton Mayor Dave King, a retired California Highway Patrol officer, speaks about a boost in enforcement on Highway 246, especially through his city. “Speeding has been a major issue as well as unsafe lane changes, passing through the left turn lane on the (Buell) Flats and failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks,” he says.
Buellton Mayor Dave King, a retired California Highway Patrol officer, speaks about a boost in enforcement on Highway 246, especially through his city. “Speeding has been a major issue as well as unsafe lane changes, passing through the left turn lane on the (Buell) Flats and failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks,” he says. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

A new campaign aims to remind drivers in Buellton to slow down and follow other traffic laws on Highway 246, with long-term plans focused at implementing other measures to boost safety on the wide stretch of road through the small city.

“Speeding has been a major issue as well as unsafe lane changes, passing through the left turn lane on the (Buell) Flats and failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks,” Mayor Dave King said. 

He shared about stopping for two women crossing Highway 246 while pushing a baby in a stroller at the Sycamore Drive intersection where flashing lights have been installed to boost safety for pedestrians.

“As I’m stopped, two vehicles pass me in the slow lane as they (the pedestrians) are in the middle of the crosswalk and this is absolutely unacceptable,” said King, a retired California Highway Patrol officer who spent 25 years on the force, with 21 of those as a motor officer.

“The City of Buellton has received numerous complaints about speeding on the 246 and other violations throughout the city.”

For many years, the City Council funded a motor officer to help enforce traffic violations. After a retirement, a gap existed but the slot has now been filled with Deputy Derek Taylor, who will enforce traffic laws throughout the city.

Additionally, enhanced enforcement by Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers from the Buellton area aims “to remind drivers to slow down, stay safe and yield to pedestrians,” King said.

Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann speaks about traffic safety on Highway 246 as other Santa Ynez Valley leaders and law enforcement officers listen. “Their efforts are going to protect residents, prevent accidents and promote livability,” she says of the planned safety campaign and other roadway improvements.
Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann speaks about traffic safety on Highway 246 as other Santa Ynez Valley leaders and law enforcement officers listen. “Their efforts are going to protect residents, prevent accidents and promote livability,” she says of the planned safety campaign and other roadway improvements. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

Driving home the importance of the message, leaders of three area CHP offices — Buellton, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria — attended the event along with Undersheriff Craig Bonner and Lt. Mark Valencia, who serves as police chief in Buellton and Solvang, plus Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti and City Councilman David Brown.

Highway 246 stretches from the ocean west of Lompoc into Buellton, Solvang and the eastern side of the Santa Ynez Valley before ending at Highway 154.

“Highway 246 west as it enters Buellton is a prime location for speeding,” Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said.

“The road is long, wide, flat and open. People have been driving at higher speeds from out at Lompoc coming in and they just lose track that they’re entering a town.”

Speed limits vary as the route passes through the various communities. The Buell Flats segment between Buellton and Solvang has had multiple fatal crashes.

Signs set speed limits at 45 and 35 mph, but drivers travel 60-65 mph, “which is absolutely unacceptable,” King said.

In Buellton, Highway 246 slices through the city with schools on the north side and a park on the south side.

Residents often drive the short distance due to the dangers of trying to walk across the highway, Hartmann said.

“It simply isn’t safe to walk or bike because the cars are speeding,” she added.

Hartmann recalled a woman with a dog who was struck crossing the road. The pet was killed and its owner was seriously injured.

She welcomed the enforcement agencies uniting for to boost safety.

“Their efforts are going to protect residents, prevent accidents and promote livability,” Hartmann said. “Maintaining safe speeds contributes to a more pleasant and livable neighborhood, encouraging outdoor activities and community engagement.”

Bonner noted the challenges that Highway 246 presents for the community.

“It is a high-speed roadway but it is immediate adjacent to residential areas, and oftentimes people who are driving down this road either do not understand or do not realize the dangers that are present,” he said, adding that authorities look forward to mitigating the dangers and raising awareness.

While the recent enhanced patrols centered on Highway 246, they also plan similar campaigns on Highways 1, 101 and 154 in the midcounty area.

During morning and afternoon commuting times, the focus will be speeding, moving violations, unsafe turns and distracted driving violations that pose the greatest hazards to the community, according to Lt. Jason Bronson, commander of CHP’s Buellton area office. 

“This is an excellent opportunity to remind everyone: Never take your commute for granted,” said Wendy Motta, an aide to Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara.

Buellton is in talks with Caltrans about possibly implementing “a skinny 246” or narrowing the road, and other traffic measures.

On Thursday, the City Council agreed to hire KOA, a Los Angeles-based transportation engineering company, for up to $56,300 to conduct studies requested by Caltrans to assess what changes would be appropriate.

City Manager Scott Wolfe said the studies are “absolutely necessary” to continue talks with Caltrans about improvements to Highway 246 in Buellton.

“This is the initial phase that we have to go through to get Caltrans to meet with us and say, ‘OK, we get it. We see what you’re trying to do. Let’s go forward with it,’” King said Thursday night.

Results of the studies should be completed within months, Wolfe estimated.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.