Fair Oaks, It’s Time For Safe Streets!
Who are we?
Hello! We are Fair Oaks Community Traffic Calming Supporters —Fair Oaks residents who care deeply about our community. Like many of you, we’ve watched our roads become increasingly dangerous, and we are committed to making them safer for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
The Problem: Our Roads Weren’t Built for This
Fair Oaks was once a quiet rural town with dirt roads, never meant to support heavy traffic. As the community grew, these roads were hastily paved, but their purpose remained unchanged—to serve local neighborhoods. Today, streets like Sunset, Illinois, Kenneth, Winding, Phoenix, and Chicago have been transformed into major commuter cut-throughs, channeling fast-moving traffic through residential areas where families walk, bike, and live.
Instead of addressing the growing dangers, the Department of Transportation (DOT) took the simplest route—painting double yellow lines to improve vehicle flow. This quick fix has turned once-peaceful neighborhood streets into high-speed corridors, where pedestrians and cyclists face daily risks. Meanwhile, roads never designed for this level of traffic are breaking down, putting both safety and infrastructure in jeopardy. Without action, the situation will only worsen.
The County’s Response? Wait 15-20 Years
Our district representative has a long-term plan to repave roads—but only if funding ever materializes. Meanwhile, Sacramento County’s Active Transportation Plan promises safer, more accessible streets, yet as an unincorporated area, Fair Oaks is often overlooked. Without strong local leadership, community organization, and a unified voice, our needs continue to be ignored.
How We Fix This: Organize & Demand Change
Stand alone complaints will not create change, but coming together will. Real progress happens when we unite, collaborate, and advocate as a community. The good news? Practical, achievable solutions are within reach—but only if we take action together.
Real Solutions We Can Fight For
Safer Walking Paths – Sidewalks would be ideal, but they are costly, require complex drainage, and often involve private property negotiations. A more immediate solution is removing double yellow lines and repainting streets to promote shared use.
Solid double lines create a rigid “my lane, your lane” mindset, causing drivers to pass pedestrians dangerously close. Replacing them with broken yellow lines signals that shifting over is acceptable, improving pedestrian safety without major infrastructure changes.
Bike Lanes – Wider shoulders and narrower car lanes have been proven to slow traffic and create safer conditions for cyclists. Strategic re-striping can help define space for bikes, reduce speeding, and make roads more accommodating for all users.
Traffic Calming Measures – Speed bumps, re-striping, and clear signage can help slow traffic and remind drivers that they’re in a neighborhood, not a freeway. These simple, cost-effective solutions encourage safer driving, making our streets safer.
Support Is Growing—But We Need YOU!
We have met with County Supervisor Rich Desmond, CHP, DOT, and the Sacramento Fire Department to address our concerns. Even Desmond himself has voiced frustration over the double yellow lines in his own neighborhood. The Fire Department supports re-striping and broken speed bumps—now it is up to us to push for real action.
Join Us! Be Part of the Solution
Change will not happen unless we demand it. Our streets should feel like neighborhoods, not highways. The Department of Transportation should have prioritized safety by discouraging cut-through traffic instead of encouraging it. Let us work together to protect our community. Join Fair Oaks Community Traffic Calming Supporters and make your voice heard!