Residents urged to slow down Published Oct. 20, 2011 By Airman Kenna Jackson 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- For the next two months, the 35th Civil Engineering Squadron here will be continuing a construction project around Sollars elementary school, the child development center and the hospital on base. In that area, there have been several incidents recently of drivers disobeying traffic laws by speeding, going around other drivers who are waiting for children in crosswalks and a general disregard for public safety. In an effort to ensure the safety of our children, drivers are encouraged to find an alternate route to their destinations until the completion of the project. "The safety of our children is a serious issue and I am disheartened at the reports we have received about the dangerous driving and unprofessional behavior in that area of the base," said Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing Vice Commander. "When I hear that teachers are being yelled at and gestured to by drivers because they are being asked to slow down around children, I know we have a serious problem and it needs to stop." According to the 35th Fighter Wing Safety office here, and the training all Misawa drivers receive before obtaining their driver's licenses, the speed limit in zones around elementary schools, including Cummings and Sollars, is 25K, and the speed limit around Edgren High School is 30K. If there is visible construction, the speed limit is requested to be reduced even more because workers have to sometimes be in the road. Also, just like in the states, if there is a solid white or yellow line you may not pass. "I want to leave every driver on this base with this final thought," said Wimmer. "The fact that you are late to work by two minutes or by ten minutes will be overshadowed by the reality that you injured or killed a child because you were in a hurry. Seriously, folks, is it worth it?"