Comments on: Flashing Lights Say Watch For Pedestrians http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/ News and views on Rockville, Maryland since 2007 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:01:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Carl http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1049 Carl Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:39:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/20/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians/#comment-1049 I too was rear ended at the crosswalk on Edmonston when I stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk and the guy behind me didn't. But I recognize that this was the fault of the guy behind me, not of the pedestrian or of the crosswalk. ><br /><br />It is unrealistic to ask people to walk a block out of their way to cross at an intersection, particularly when the nearest intersection is 355/Edmonston, which allows right on red from Ed onto 355, has constant right on green and red from 355 onto Ed. It is less convenient for pedestrians and less safe. <br /><br />The crosswalk in this case is much needed and the signal is a valuable improvement. I too was rear ended at the crosswalk on Edmonston when I stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk and the guy behind me didn’t. But I recognize that this was the fault of the guy behind me, not of the pedestrian or of the crosswalk. >

It is unrealistic to ask people to walk a block out of their way to cross at an intersection, particularly when the nearest intersection is 355/Edmonston, which allows right on red from Ed onto 355, has constant right on green and red from 355 onto Ed. It is less convenient for pedestrians and less safe.

The crosswalk in this case is much needed and the signal is a valuable improvement.

]]> By: Anonymous http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1048 Anonymous Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:14:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/20/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians/#comment-1048 This is a bad idea. They have something similar in Arlington, VA. As Dustin said these things confuse people and cause accidents. The real solution is to move crosswalks to intersections where there are stop signs or lights. Placing them in between blocks is dangerous for all involved. This would not only prevent accidents but save us $20,000 per crosswalk. This is a bad idea. They have something similar in Arlington, VA. As Dustin said these things confuse people and cause accidents. The real solution is to move crosswalks to intersections where there are stop signs or lights. Placing them in between blocks is dangerous for all involved. This would not only prevent accidents but save us $20,000 per crosswalk.

]]> By: Dustin http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1047 Dustin Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:09:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/20/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians/#comment-1047 Not saying these aren't a good idea, but they installed something similar in Atlanta a couple of years ago when I lived there. The first week after they were installed, I stopped for someone to cross, and, while the person next to me did the same, the person behind them was not so quick on the brake pedal. I'd imagine it was not the first nor the last accident caused by those crosswalks. Those lights were abused, though. People would hit the button then step out, not being cognizant of the fact that it takes ><b>time</b> to stop a vehicle traveling at 45 miles per hour (that was the speed limit, why they were allowing a crosswalk on a 45 mph road is a whole 'nother topic :)). Not saying these aren’t a good idea, but they installed something similar in Atlanta a couple of years ago when I lived there. The first week after they were installed, I stopped for someone to cross, and, while the person next to me did the same, the person behind them was not so quick on the brake pedal. I’d imagine it was not the first nor the last accident caused by those crosswalks. Those lights were abused, though. People would hit the button then step out, not being cognizant of the fact that it takes >time to stop a vehicle traveling at 45 miles per hour (that was the speed limit, why they were allowing a crosswalk on a 45 mph road is a whole ‘nother topic :) ).

]]> By: Brad Rourke http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1046 Brad Rourke Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:20:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/20/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians/#comment-1046 Yes, I have often had a hard time seeing pedestrians at that intersection and I have to remind myself to be careful. Hopefully this will help! Yes, I have often had a hard time seeing pedestrians at that intersection and I have to remind myself to be careful. Hopefully this will help!

]]> By: Anonymous http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians.html/comment-page-1/#comment-1045 Anonymous Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:14:00 +0000 http://rockvillecentral.com/2009/04/20/flashing-lights-say-watch-for-pedestrians/#comment-1045 The West Edmonston crosswalk lights were badly needed. It is difficult to spot pedestrians entering the crosswalk when they're obscured by vehicles turning into or out of the Woodmont Shopping Center. Many drivers also don't respect the crosswalk. Hopefuly that will change and a terrible accident has been avoided. The West Edmonston crosswalk lights were badly needed. It is difficult to spot pedestrians entering the crosswalk when they’re obscured by vehicles turning into or out of the Woodmont Shopping Center. Many drivers also don’t respect the crosswalk. Hopefuly that will change and a terrible accident has been avoided.

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