Cyclists this time of year? What about in Spring when they are out like its the Tour de France? When I moved here I was gobsmacked how the people on bikes don't follow the rules of the road and then purposefully block the road so a car cannot go past them. Last I checked its supposed to be single file, and obey same traffic laws like stopping at stop signs, signalling turns, etc. Maybe things have changed and they don't need to follow rules, I don't know, but I'd like to see a bigger initiative on reminding cyclists (and drivers) what the rules are.

They should get the bikes who ride on Sheridan Rd on Sunday mornings. They don't stop at stop signs and ride in packs. Very dangerous!
I even saw a guy jogging on the street there yesterday when there is a perfectly good sidewalk five feet away. It's like he had a death wish.

Who cares about the cyclists, you need to be scared of the DRIVERS in Highland Park. The people of this town think they rule the road, have no respect for pedestrians and other cars. God help us.

People talking on phones and doing U-Turns happens multiple times daily. If they are going to have laws against it then it should be enforced daily not just on a spot check/trail basis.

Car-related comment having absolutely nothing to do with the topic: The other day I parked in a lot next to an SUV with a nice sized American flag decal (about 12-in to 14-in long) on is rear side panel, "How patriotic," I thought. Then as I got to the rear of the SUV in noted the vehicle was a Mercedes. Don't know if Mercedes has a plant in the U.S., but last time I checked it was a German company. I just found the incident a bit ironic.

I do not understand why the "initiative" is only a week and a half. I do not understand why the police need to tell us when they are going to be focusing on these violations and why such a short period of time. So does this mean after 5:30 the police won't really be looking for cell phone users or illegal U-turns. Just sit in front of Once Upon a Bagel all day. You will see many illegal u-turns, esp. in the evening when it is time to pick up pizza's at Lou's.

"Targeting shoppers is a bad idea."

While I admire Larry for so much of what he has done with downtown Highland Park, we absolutely need to have the traffic laws enforced in the downtown core. 2nd and Central is an extremely dangerous intersection for pedestrians and drivers alike. 1st and Elm is pretty bad. Left turns into parking spaces are commonplace. Hand-held cellphones are everywhere. Just because they are bringing their wallets doesn't mean they can leave their respect for the law at home.

"We're getting some feedback that people are seeing some of these U-turns into parking spaces, enough that its concerning," Deputy Police Chief Dave Schwarz

Left turn and u-turns into a parking space seems to be a right of passage in HP. How many times have you pulled up to a parking place and you see someone in the oncoming lane with their left turn blinker on. And wow, if you don't let them have the spot, they will let you have it.

I've pulled up next to drivers who are trying to make a U-turn, stopped and rolled down my window to confront the potential offender. In one case, I pointed out a no U-turn sign and the driver was intiminated enough to not make the turn. The other time the driver told me they weren't making a U-turn, which of course they did. Maybe if they're too dumb to understand the meaning of a U-turn, perhaps they shouldn't be driving.
BTW - Both incidents happens some five or six years ago. At tjat time, a citizen observing a driving offense could report the incident along with a license plate number to the HP police. The police would then send the offending driver a warning. Due to budget cutbacks, I've been told that the HP police don't have the manpower any longer to send out warnings. Perhaps the police department might request volunteers to help process warnings of this type. If such a volunteer program is put into place, public notification might help to alleviate some of the traffic issues in HP.

I did hear the police have been stepping up enforcement after results of their community survey came back. The biggest complaint I heard was the lack of enforcement of the cell phone ban while driving. Hope they keep it up because it's pretty dangerous.

Pedestrians in HP can also take heed. I'm not questioning the rights of pedestrians, especially in a crosswalk, but I'd like to see them pay more attention to their own safety by putting down the cell phone for a moment, stop texting as they cross, stop dashing into the crosswalk as cars begin to move and stop assuming that everyone is aware of their glorious presence. If we all do our part, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians we'll all be better off.

Wow. Live free or die is fast fading into the past. I've lived here all my life, and I really don't see much difference between here and all the places I've driven except Massachusetts. Begging for the police to crack down. I hope they don't crack down on you, but it would serve you right!

You people are so dramatic. I drive through downtown HP multiple times every day and I've never had a problem. Not everyone is a retiree or stay-at-home mom who has all day to wait at the intersection for the daydreamers to decide whether they're going to move or not.

If you're a pedestrian, be aggressive. You always have the right of way. Make eye contact with the drivers of the cars you'll be walking in front of so that they know you intend to move and aren't just another person loitering at the corner.

If you're a driver, simply remember the rules of the road. Come to a complete stop. Defer to pedestrians. MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH PEDESTRIANS AND THE OTHER DRIVERS, and in general follow these rules: If the intersection is lightly trafficked, then the first driver to the intersection goes first. If there are queues of cars in multiple directions, let each direction go in turn. If you reach the intersection at about the same time as a driver coming from the left or right, the driver on the right has the right of way. If you reach the intersection at about the same time as a driver in the oncoming direction, you can both go simultaneously unless you are turning left, in which case you defer to the other driver. PAY ATTENTION AND MOVE WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN. If you don't, the other drivers that are being more respectful than you by paying attention will assume that you are in lala land and will move because they have somewhere to be.

A little bit of Freedom is nice too......Cops on every corner is not utopia.

I have travelled to over 20 countries and have seen some very creative driving in my time. What makes Highland Park different? I have thought about this from time to time. There appears to be a disproportionate amount of people who really are on a mission to meet their own needs and don't care what other people on the road think about them. Selfish driving and a disrespect for the rules is too prevalent. Heaven forbid that you don't move away fast enough when you should you will get local resident on your tail laying on the horn for all their worth fit to give you a heart attack when a gentle toot will surface. What's with the junction of Laurel and Greenbay, clearly mark as one road but people come through on the right hand side and cut right to the front of the waiting line. Again, heaven forbid you don't let them in and you will get a mouthful.
I also saw that man running down Sheridan road yesterday a few feet from a very nice foot path. Asking to be run over...

Would Mr Hillman have a different opinion if he were not one of the largest landlords in downtown HP? Sounds like he cares more about offending shoppers than safety.

Consider not allowing vehicle traffic in the Port Clinton Square area at all. Make it a large promenade area. It would eliminate a lot of issues and create a lot of space for outdoor dining, etc

I took time to complete the police survey. While the downtown area is and always has been a winner take all affair when it comes to driving, I stressed my concern about the prevelance of traffic violations occurring on our residential streets, especially during the school bus times. While at my son's bus stop one morning before the survey, I witnessed twelve rolling stops, six handheld phone users (five of them rolled through) and two cars that passed the intersection while the bus was stopped with it's flashers and stop sign out. All this in less than ten minutes! The other major problem on our side streets is speeding. Logistically speaking, there is no way a police force can enforce all of the areas in town and I'm all for a day or two of "in your face" police events that at least get people's attention. Knowing the police will ticket you may be what some people need to think twice at that next stop sign or phone call.

I agree on cracking down on complete stops!!!! In the span of 5 months I have been rear ended two times immediately after I make a complete stop. Most people think that the driver in front is going to just slowly roll the stop and end up hitting them!!!! I have to say they shouldn't just do this for a certain amount of time, it should be enforced 24/7!!!

the worst is all these morons driving expensive cars and they cant even use Bluetooth.....pathetic.

HIGHLAND PARK DRIVERS HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE TRAFFIC LAWS AND ARE THE RUDEST DRIVERS IN THE USA.. A LITTLE BIT OF RESPECT FOR THE RULES OF THE ROAD AND SOME COMMON COURTESY WOULD GO A LONG WAY

Update concerning cyclists - Highland Park changed its ordinance to reflect State law which permits 2 riders abreast.

Cyclists are legally mandated to "...ride as close as practicable and safe to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway." Highland Park cyclists often do not obey this law yet seem overly upset when motorists cut them off or do not provide them as much roadway as they would like. Maybe motorists are taking out their revenge upon cyclists because cyclists never, ever stop at stop signs, often ride in the middle of the roadway and can be seen daily blocking vehicular traffic, another violation. If the entitled and royal bicyclists obeyed the laws specifically created for their two wheelers, maybe motorists would be more accommodating. I would enjoy seeing some bicyclists ticketed for their favorite and entitled infraction, running at high speeds thru stop signs.