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Soulsbyville, Ca -- There’s that sign again, “Driving 25? Or teaching kids to speed?” It’s hard to miss when driving on Soulsbyville road. The admonishment comes as a surprise almost every time as I speed by the dilapidated building that serves as a backdrop for the bluntly worded signage. Who’s responsible for this?
The answer is Robert Leibold, local business owner of Velopromo and 19 year resident of Soulsbyville.
“I moved here in 1990. Before that I spent time remodeling the house I live in. I noticed that people were going by pretty fast. I had two kids and I just wanted to keep them safe.”
So , in 1991 Robert put up his first signs, one on each side of the old building. Since then about 10 different signs have been created to remind speeders to slow down. Here’s what some of them have said:“What part of 25 do you not understand?”
“Math Problem: 45 ≠ 25, 35 ≠ 25, 25 = 25”
“Speed Limit 25. Your speed: TOO FAST.”
Rather than being angry, Robert has a pragmatic view of his situation. He understands that people sometimes don’t pay attention to how fast they’re going, especially when the speed they’re going seems reasonable. “I just want this to be friendly reminder. This is a neighborhood. There’s a school zone nearby. The speed limit is 25. It’s not hard to respect these things.” 
Actually, how easy is it really to respect these things? The entire stretch of Soulsbyville road between Highway 108 and Tuolumne road is about 2.6 miles. Lets say you live in Ralph, CA (see graphic below) and you need to get the The Outpost Convenience Store in hurry to buy a 40 ounce bottle of malt liquor before it closes, here’s how much time you’ll actually save by speeding:
Just how long does it take to go 2.6 miles?
25mph = 6 minutes 14 seconds
35mph = 4 minutes 24 seconds
45mph = 3 minutes 28 seconds
So by going 45mph the whole way, screeching around every corner, a time-conscious driver could save about 2 1/4 minutes. Not only will you have time to buy that malt liquor you crave so badly, but you’ll be able to microwave a Cup O’ Noodles for dinner. My, how efficient you’ll feel. 
Seriously, though, speeding kills people. It’s a plain and simple fact. Regardless of how we all wish that Soulsbyville Road - a convenient thoroughfare - didn’t pass through a school zone and a populated neighborhood, it does. And it raises the question not just literally, but in the context of living in a community, “What part of 25 do you not understand?”
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