To this day, I carry with me the memory of our community’s grief and concern over the teen automobile-accident fatality on South Houghton Road almost ten years ago. We heard from many residents during forums held at that time with various Pima County agencies, such as the Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Transportation. Immediately, speed feedback signs were deployed and eventually, long-needed improvements were made to Houghton Road.
More recently, your District 4 office has seen an uptick in the number of constituent traffic safety reports near our area high schools, and we’re noting as well, a related rise in actual traffic accidents, several serious in nature. After extensive analysis by local agencies of traffic patterns, areas, and times of heightened congestion, and of the accidents themselves, some tangible actions were taken to attempt to mitigate the potential for mishaps, including the installation of signage and rumble strips in roadways near schools as well as enhanced surveillance by law enforcement.
But what was discovered as the most apparent factor in the cause of accidents was the age and inexperience of the drivers involved. Obviously, school-age kids just having received permission to drive are the most vulnerable in our heavily trafficked locales. Upon further discernment, we noted – with surprise – that driver’s education courses are no longer offered in high school curricula, and haven’t been for some time.
After discussing the matter with the Pima County Health Department leadership, our team is investigating ways to align Pima County and Vail Unified School District resources to establish a driver’s education program for VUSD high school students. Bear in mind, that we have just initiated this process and details are not yet available. As we move further down this road, so to speak, we will share our progress on this important initiative.
You may have noticed that the Transportation Department has powered on the much-requested traffic signal at Old Spanish Trail and Camino Loma Alta. The intersection’s signalization is expected to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in this developing area.
In other transportation news, Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Mike Ortega recently announced he has instituted new internal policies to avoid delays and drawn-out construction timelines for RTA road projects, and stated his goal is to set up the recently-renewed RTA so that the entire program will be completed in 20 years, and not just started during the two-decade period. Significant in Ortega’s listing of prioritized projects is the Colossal Cave Road improvement in our own southeast region that could start sooner than originally programmed.
Finally, congratulations to Vail Cienega for winning the 2026 State AIA 5A Boys Volleyball Title on May 16! According to news reports, it only “took about an hour to dismantle Chandler Arizona College Prep in three sets” to achieve victory. Well done, champs!
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov
