Waterford - Kristen Lester doesn't tell her son and daughter to walk to their bus stop; she tells them to run."I go ahead and look at the curve for a car and then I tell them to go and they actually run," the Old Norwich Road resident said. "When I have to take my kids across the street, it's a moment of terror for our family. It's absolutely ridiculous."

"I go ahead and look at the curve for a car and then I tell them to go and they actually run," the Old Norwich Road resident said. "When I have to take my kids across the street, it's a moment of terror for our family. It's absolutely ridiculous."Tonight at a community meeting with police and town officials, Lester and other members of the Concerned Citizens for Quaker Hill group plan to discuss ways to make Old Norwich Road safer.

Tonight at a community meeting with police and town officials, Lester and other members of the Concerned Citizens for Quaker Hill group plan to discuss ways to make Old Norwich Road safer.Since April, two crashes along or near the roadway have claimed three lives. In addition to those tragedies, Lester said, there is a daily impact for residents.

Since April, two crashes along or near the roadway have claimed three lives. In addition to those tragedies, Lester said, there is a daily impact for residents."I've had one of my pets run over on that road," Lester said. "I've had a neighbor on one side get their hedges wiped out. Another neighbor on the other side had their fence taken out. People treat it as a highway and it's not. It's a residential neighborhood."

"I've had one of my pets run over on that road," Lester said. "I've had a neighbor on one side get their hedges wiped out. Another neighbor on the other side had their fence taken out. People treat it as a highway and it's not. It's a residential neighborhood."Town officials said police have increased patrols to help reduce the number of crashes and speeding drivers on the residential roadway where speed limit signs read "30."

Town officials said police have increased patrols to help reduce the number of crashes and speeding drivers on the residential roadway where speed limit signs read "30."Lester said her group wants more permanent steps taken.

Lester said her group wants more permanent steps taken.Speeding drivers are the primary problem, Lester said. She is advocating for permanent radar signs to remind drivers of their speed. She also plans to prepare a petition to have Old Norwich Road closed where it intersects with Route 32.

Speeding drivers are the primary problem, Lester said. She is advocating for permanent radar signs to remind drivers of their speed. She also plans to prepare a petition to have Old Norwich Road closed where it intersects with Route 32."(The police) have gone as far as they can, and it's not going to work for them. They tried it, and it's time to move on and time to go to more permanent traffic-calming solutions," Lester said.

"(The police) have gone as far as they can, and it's not going to work for them. They tried it, and it's time to move on and time to go to more permanent traffic-calming solutions," Lester said.A fatal crash about two weeks ago led to the urgency to hold a meeting sooner rather than later.

A fatal crash about two weeks ago led to the urgency to hold a meeting sooner rather than later.A New London man was killed Oct. 26 when the car he was riding in struck a curb and came to rest on its side against a house at 121 Old Norwich Road.

A New London man was killed Oct. 26 when the car he was riding in struck a curb and came to rest on its side against a house at 121 Old Norwich Road.On May 24, two people were killed when the car they were riding in collided with another at the intersection of Old Norwich Road and Route 32.

On May 24, two people were killed when the car they were riding in collided with another at the intersection of Old Norwich Road and Route 32.First Selectman Dan Steward said he plans to attend tonight's meeting but is not sure there is an easy solution.

First Selectman Dan Steward said he plans to attend tonight's meeting but is not sure there is an easy solution."The way that road goes through the community makes it different to work with," Steward said.

"The way that road goes through the community makes it different to work with," Steward said. "I want to listen to what they have to say and what changes they think will work, but many times you can't do what seems to be very simple. We're not looking to create more (traffic) problems, so we have to be conscientious about how we go through that process."

"I want to listen to what they have to say and what changes they think will work, but many times you can't do what seems to be very simple. We're not looking to create more (traffic) problems, so we have to be conscientious about how we go through that process."Lester said town officials have been very responsive, but she hopes for a solution before more crashes occur.

Lester said town officials have been very responsive, but she hopes for a solution before more crashes occur."I'm a little frustrated," she said. "Hopefully we get a good turnout and can convince the town this is a priority for them."

"I'm a little frustrated," she said. "Hopefully we get a good turnout and can convince the town this is a priority for them."

If you go

What: Community meeting to address traffic concerns along Old Norwich Road

Where: Quaker Hill fire house, 17 Old Colchester Road

When: 6:30 tonight