FARRAGUT, Tenn. — Residents of a Farragut neighborhood are asking the town to start a traffic calming study after a 16-year-old girl was hit by a truck while waiting for the bus on the first day of school.
Some Thornton Heights residents said drivers use Hughlan Drive to cross over to Kingston Pike and drive too fast. They said these issues have persisted for years.
"It's a serious problem," said Kimberlie Parks, a resident who lives close by. "It's been a problem for decades of people cutting through."
The street right next to Hughlan Drive, Thornton Drive, has speed bumps. Parks said this has made Hughlan Drive even more dangerous.
"On this street where the accident happened, instead of using Thornton, they're just using that one," Parks said.
Dozens of "slow down" signs line the road and Parks said it can be dangerous.
"Letting [drivers] have a straight way like this is a bad idea because people aren't obeying traffic signs, the kids are being put in danger and the residents are being put in danger as well," she said.
Farragut leaders said they have a process in place for residents to ask the town to examine roads.
"[The process] empowers neighborhoods to take steps to calm down traffic in their neighborhood," said Wendy Smith, communications manager for the town. "And it starts with the town of Farragut conducting a speed study to make sure that it's merited."
The town can't prevent drivers from crossing through on Hughlan Drive, Smith said.
"We can't keep people from driving on public roads. All we can do is ask for people to be respectful of the neighbors if they choose to cut through neighborhoods," she said.
Some Thornton Heights residents submitted applications to the town asking for the study to be conducted. If approved, it could be years before residents see a change. Still, they're hopeful.
"We have children, and children are our future," Parks said. "And if we don't safeguard them, who will?"