To the editor:

I am writing because I am very concerned about public safety on East Main Road (Route 138) in Portsmouth and Middletown. I drive on this road daily on my commute from Bristol to Newport. The more I talk to people about this dangerous road, the more concerns I hear. 

The speed limit on East Main Road is 35 mph. I admit, at times, I go 40 mph. Even then, vehicles are passing me at warp speed. The road is lined with telephone poles and mailboxes and there is no shoulder. I cannot count how many times I have almost been sideswiped in the passenger lane. Speaking of lanes, trucks are the width of them now, so there is absolutely no room for error. On my daily commute, I see Mario Andretti wannabes weaving in and out, and competing in “pass the bus” and “dodgems” competitions. Heaven forbid there should be a pedestrian or bicyclist on the road. 

And, there is no police presence. 

Back in the day, it was a known fact that if you were speeding on Route 138, you would get stopped and ticketed. Now, cars are speeding by the Portsmouth police station and the former Rhode Island State Police barracks. And, no one stops them. 

So, what can be done about this? If there are not enough police officers to keep our roads safe, a simple solution is to install speed cameras. They are very successful in controlling speeders and maintaining public safety in Providence, East Providence, and Pawtucket. And, guess what? They raise revenue for those cities. Speed cameras would be a win-win situation. 

I don’t want to have a fear of a car crash twice a day. No one does. So, please, take action and put an end to the Route 138 racetrack. 

Patricia E. Chalmers 

Bristol