Comments on: Seventh & Washington

By: Rici

Rici — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:53:20 +0000

As a frequent walker in that area, I agree that the signs are helping make the intersection safer for pedestrians. Just today I was standing back on the corner, waiting for traffic to go through, when someone *stopped* to let me cross. Clearly some people pay attention to the signs! (the ones reminding you that cars should yield to pedestrians)

Why is it hard for westbound-on-Washington people to see the sign? There is a flashing overhead light. There is a streetlight on the southwest corner of 7th and Washington. The pole in front of the sign is reflective. What more do they need? Should the pole have flashing lights on it? Maybe it could be like those crossings in downtown Brighton, where lights in the roadway flash after a pedestrian activates the signal. But then left-turners would say “I didn’t see the flashing lights until after I turned and it was too late, so I had to swerve and I hit the sign.” Pshaw.

By: Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:27:25 +0000

The sign has been flattened and repaired 10 times since it was put in, according to city records. [Link]

By: M.E.Workman

M.E.Workman — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:40:12 +0000

In my opinion, this crossing needs to be illuminated better at night to improve it’s success. Headlights coming from the opposite direction make it difficult to see when/if pedestrians are on the sidewalks (in the shadows) attempting to cross. I believe this can be done without ruining the ambience of the neighborhood.

By: Linda Diane Feldt

Linda Diane Feldt — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:26:10 +0000

I’ve started seeing more and more cars stop at this intersection for pedestrians in the cross work. And even when standing on the island. That is great behavior that may also show up in other places. People can learn.

By: Karen Sidney

Karen Sidney — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:22:15 +0000

I cross that intersection almost every weekday. It’s not uncommon to start crossing, thinking traffic is clear, only to suddenly find yourself in the path of a car turning from Huron onto Seventh. There were many times I had to break into a run to finish crossing. The island provides a designated place to wait for those unexpected cars to go by. My thanks to the citizens who pushed the city to make this change.

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:16:10 +0000

I don’t see any demonstration that it’s less safe for drivers. Are there reports of drivers being injured? I think if you’re injured by hitting a plastic stick or a curb, it’s your fault, not the stick.

Less safe for the _cars_ of _inattentive_ drivers, but so are trees. Are we going to replace all the trees, too?

By: mcammer

mcammer — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:11:52 +0000

Arguably more safe for pedestrians, demonstrably less safe for drivers. There has to be a better way.

By: Trevor Staples

Trevor Staples — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:23:44 +0000

This intersection is NOT less safe than it was before. Even though the sign has been hit by cars many times, it has forced traffic to slow down and watch for what’s going on. As a pedestrian, it’s way easier to cross the street now that the island is there. Cars actually see the people crossing the street, as well as those waiting to cross.

The island isn’t making the intersection dangerous. Drivers going too fast and not paying attention to the road are making it dangerous.

Maybe we need a sign saying, “Sign Ahead.” ;-)

By: Eric Boyd

Eric Boyd — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:56:39 +0000

It may be that the island/sign has made the intersection less safe. It may also be that the intersection was this unsafe already, but the addition of a “target” (i.e. sign) is now leaving obvious evidence of that danger.

By: mcammer

mcammer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:32:18 +0000

Clearly the island/sign has made the intersection less safe. That is a particularly narrow part of 7th, and forces the driver to “slalom” around the island. People turning from Washington have to make a very square turn. Sure, the drivers are still at fault, but the road design has made this stretch trickier to navigate.

I think the island should be removed. It’s not helping. Better lighting/paint stripes/rumble strips (in addition to the blinking traffic signal) might be the way to go.