Bob Ardren has this comment in last week's Main Street Beat:
New lights to save you at Main/Lemon
New traffic lights are going in at Lemon and Main and their purpose, I’m told, is to make sure that we make the right decisions. Honestly, that’s what I was told.
You see, some of us rather liked the four-way stop signs at the intersection. After all, when all the traffic actually stops, it really slows down traffic on Main and, overall, I happen to think that’s a good idea with all the pedestrians around. And we are supposed to be a pedestrian-friendly city, right?
Well, apparently we are pedestrian friendly, but not thought to be very bright. When I asked for an official explanation of why lights, which would allow steady streams of traffic, were better than a four-way stop, the answer from the city’s engineering department was that pedestrians don’t always make the right decisions (in other words they walk in front of cars) and so these lights will make it easier – and safer – for them.
That, my friends, is a perfect example why it’s important to always keep an eagle eye on your government.
Here's another solution. Madison, WI (always on the lists for the best place to live, despite the winters) gives absolute right of way to pedestrians at every intersection. That is pedestrian friendly!
Post script: the light is up now.
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3 comments:
I don't think we have to go all the way to Madison, WI. Correct me if I am wrong but don't pedestrians have the right-of-way on St. Armands Circle?
Excellent observation. You are correct indeed.
In Madison pedestrians have the right of way throughout the city.
We may wish to consider the St Armands system for a portion of downtown.
never expect government to treat us as adults... we are children that need to be taken care of..
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