NO traffic signal at Rancho Viejo Rd and Highland

Why fix something that's not broken, especially if there's a better chance the fix will worsen the situation? We don't need big city lights congesting our already perfectly smooth operating intersection in a rural part of town. Currently, there is no significant problem exiting or entering Highland. Reasonable careful driving, coupled with common sense, make this an easy intersection. We would like to keep it that way. Moreover, we are very concerned that a traffic signal will create problems.

Vehicles held up at traffic signals add additional noise and result in more pollution to homes that are already highly affected. Peak hour traffic is heavy at every intersection - especially the ones with lights! We are LUCKY we DON'T have a light! Signals only cause further delays. Currently, northbound travelers on Rancho Viejo make an easy, unimpeded right turn into Highland. With a traffic signal, those right-turning cars will have to wait behind drivers held up at the signal. A light will generally be green for Rancho Viejo traffic much more than for Highland. So, leaving the area, especially in the morning hours will double the amount of cars held back by a signal, allowing only a brief 'green' for us, making this intersection more hazardous. Highland residents will be rushing out to 'beat' the light, so as not to be held up by another one. This is a more dangerous situation, instead of everyone taking the time they need to find the space in traffic that enables a safe exit.

A traffic light is false security that could be deadly. Red light runners are the leading cause of intersection accidents, making intersections the most dangerous areas on the roads. A signal at this quiet intersection will inevitably put drivers at a significant risk for more accidents to occur.

In addition to our area, I'm now getting calls from residents in Hunt Club and Marbella Country Club inquiring as to the status of this light. Every city resident who uses Rancho Viejo Road will be affected. Drivers commuting to Stoneybrooke School, Capo Valley High, Mission Viejo Mall, doctors en route to Mission Hospital... this light will interrupt their commutes as well. It appears no one benefits by another light in San Juan Capistrano! To hold up an entire city's commuters in stopping 4 lanes of free flowing traffic on Rancho Viejo Road because a few residents want the assistance of a light to make an easy left hand turn is senseless, and a waste of city dollars.

ALL area residents were not properly notified of this proposal, nor given the opportunity to attend a public hearing objecting to it. This was passed without our knowledge and we have not examined the documentation, investigative reports, or reviews supporting this idea. Also, the Zion building project has been cancelled, and even if it went through, would still have no significant impact at THIS intersection. Lights at The Village and Junipero Serra provide enough breaks in traffic, allowing ample space for merging onto Rancho Viejo from Highland. Another light is simply not needed.

SJC has gotten signal happy with traffic lights causing gridlock on every block. Just look at what traffic signals did to Junipero Serra. Don't allow this to occur in one of the last rural areas of SJC!

This traffic signal is unneeded and counterproductive. It is neither safe nor convenient. It is simply a bad idea.

Please join your neighbors in signing this petition. We value this equestrian community and want to keep it's rural intersection just the way it is - the way it was when YOU moved here. No more building is being done up Highland or on Rancho Viejo between Junipero Serra and The Village. To add a light here would be a bad mistake.

Thank you for your support! Happy Holidays.