LEHI, Utah — Residents of Lehi are raising alarms over a surge in speeding and reckless driving on Dapple Drive, a street that has seen growing traffic issues in recent weeks. The uptick in dangerous driving comes in the wake of ongoing construction on 700 South, which has forced traffic onto Dapple Drive as part of a detour route.
What was already a problem area for speeding and traffic congestion has only worsened since the construction began at least three weeks ago. Local residents report that traffic flow on Dapple Drive has nearly doubled, with vehicles racing through the street at all hours of the day. Derek Pinnell, a resident of the street, shared his concerns about the situation.
“It’s picked up a lot since it’s now a main detour because of the construction,” Pinnell said. “Now it’s at all points of the day there’s a pretty steady flow of cars.”
The increase in traffic has made the area even more dangerous, especially since Dapple Drive has many children and a blind corner that makes visibility a challenge. Pinnell recounted a recent incident where he had to act quickly to protect a neighbor’s child.
“He was coming down his driveway, and I was sitting on my porch when I saw a car coming that he didn’t notice. I just jumped in the middle of the road to stop the car,” he recalled.
For many in the neighborhood, the situation has become a hot-button issue. Pinnell and his neighbors say they frequently discuss the problems caused by the detour, with many residents expressing frustration over the situation. “Just about everyone we see, someone will comment like, ‘Ah this detour is ruining our lives,’” Pinnell added.
In light of these concerns, KUTV reached out to the Lehi Police Department to inquire about any efforts to address the rising complaints. In a statement, the city acknowledged the increase in speeding reports in recent weeks, particularly in the affected areas around Dapple Drive.
“There has been an increase in reports in the last few weeks,” the city said in an email response. “As time permits, [police] have been responding to those complaints to increase patrols. As a result, our traffic team has issued more citations.”
The city emphasized that resident reports are critical in helping authorities respond to issues in areas they may not be fully aware of. The police department assured that they are working to increase patrols in response to the rising complaints and are committed to addressing speeding concerns as part of their ongoing traffic enforcement efforts.
For residents who wish to report speeding or request additional traffic enforcement in specific areas, the city has made several reporting channels available.
As construction on 700 South continues, local residents are hoping that increased police presence will help curb the speeding issues and make their neighborhood safer for everyone.