PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A woman is advocating for traffic safety improvements following a crash on Mount Vernon Avenue early Wednesday morning that left her unable to work.
Veneeca Neal reported hearing a loud crash outside her home around 12:30 a.m. Witnesses said a vehicle traveling at over 50 mph struck her car, triggering a chain reaction that damaged two additional vehicles.
Neal's vehicle is now undriveable, significantly impacting her job as a full-time Lyft driver. “I'm out two days now without driving my car,” she said, emphasizing her struggle to meet her weekly ride goals.
The incident echoed traumatic memories for Neal, who lost her husband in a car accident in 2021. “It instantly brought back those feelings,” she stated.
According to police reports Neal shared with News 3, the driver was exceeding the 25 mph speed limit on Mount Vernon Avenue. This incident has prompted Neal to call attention to ongoing speeding issues in the neighborhood.
Neal is advocating for the installation of speed bumps, urging city officials to address the recurring problem. Portsmouth's traffic-calming policy allows residents to request reviews for traffic mitigation measures, but the process hinges on documented speeding issues and community support.
City officials must determine eligibility based on speed-study results and community petitions showing 75% support from affected properties. While the city can incorporate various interventions, physical traffic-calming devices are only considered after unsuccessful previous measures.
Neal is currently seeking assistance from the driver's insurance and has created a fundraiser page to help cover her transportation needs.
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