I am not entirely unsympathetic to homeowners who live on South Rolling Road. I know, all too well, the frustrations of living on a major roadway.

I live on Old Frederick Road, which also receives a lot of traffic — most of it well over the posted speed limit.

I can't park at the curb in front of my own home; parking there is legal, but not wise.

My last car was totaled on a beautiful Sunday afternoon during the spring by a young, distracted driver.

Mine was not the first car to be hit while parked there.

Two years ago, I had to replace the concrete steps and wrought iron railing leading from the sidewalk to my terraced front lawn, after a drunk driver struck them with his car.

I would prefer to live on a street with less traffic but I love my home and have no desire to move.

If the situation were to become intolerable, I would move.

Rolling Road has existed for over 200 years. It has been a major artery for most of that time. The high volume of traffic is not a recent development.

Anyone who purchased a home on South Rolling Road within the past few decades must have realized what they were getting: attractive, older houses, mature trees, a great location and traffic — lots of traffic.

Are improvements needed?

Absolutely. But to buy a home on South Rolling Road and then complain that you don't like traffic is like moving to Alaska and complaining about the cold weather.

To paraphrase Harry Truman: if you can't stand the traffic, move to a cul-de-sac.

Dan Maher

Catonsville