Last September, Santa Barbara resident Elizabeth Brooks was using a crosswalk on Shoreline Drive when a large truck sped into the wrong side of the street just to pass her.

That incident pushed her to start sending emails to City of Santa Barbara officials about improving pedestrian safety in that area.

She wasn’t the only one, and the city took action.

Workers repainted the double yellow lines and added pedestrian signage — known as stanchions — in crosswalks along Shoreline Drive that intersect San Nicolas Avenue, Santa Rosa Avenue, La Plata and San Clemente Street.

When Brooks saw the news in Councilman Mike Jordan’s January newsletter, she was “ecstatic.”

“My concern is so many people use the (Shoreline Drive) park, not just Mesa people,” she said.

Brooks, a retired kindergarten teacher, has lived with her husband on the Mesa for about seven years in Brooks’ childhood home.

Safety has always been a concern of hers because she regularly sees people speeding up and down the hill. 

Jordan said he has heard from many residents who are concerned about speeding along Shoreline Drive.

After the street was repaved last year, Jordan met with the city street engineer about putting up signs in that area.

“This is a perfect example of how that just all organically grew from people being concerned,” Jordan said.

The timing also worked out well. Since new asphalt was recently added, workers were able to change the striping to accommodate the signage, he said.

“We’ll cross our fingers, but I’m pretty optimistic about (the signage), because I think they’re visually pretty obnoxious and jump right out at you,” Jordan said.

Brooks, who walks through her neighborhood every day, said she has seen drivers slowing down since the signs were added.

“These signs have made a big difference with people,” Brooks said.

Going forward, Brooks said she would like to see more 25-mile-per-hour signs put up in the area to deter speeding. 

“Maybe this would spur others to seek safer crosswalks in their neighborhood, just to become more community involved,” Brooks said. “I appreciate the efforts of the mayor and Councilmember Jordan and the whole City of Santa Barbara, just for listening.”