- Target:
- Collingswood Borough, New Jersey
- Region:
- United States of America
The Borough of Collingswood, New Jersey, has been asked on at least two prior occasions to install four-way stop signs at the intersection of Park and Dill Avenues. To date, this request remains unfulfilled.
According to the Borough, the need for a 4-way stop is not "dire" based on traffic accident data and real-time monitoring. Although this intersection is not statistically dangerous, it is arguably more dangerous than surrounding 4-way intersections and more dangerous than it needs to be. Why must there be a "dire" need before action is taken? And, at what point, and after how many incidents, is it safe to categorize this intersection as dangerous?
In fairness to the Borough, this intersection is not like crossing I-295 or Admiral Wilson Blvd. But it is unnecessarily hazardous because it lacks 4-way stop signs. Is Park Avenue so heavily travelled that it cannot accommodate an additional stop? Nothing can be made 100% safe, but it makes sense to reduce the risk of harm by installing 4-way stop signs when the effect of doing so will have little to no negative consequences.
We, the undersigned, out of concern for our children, families, pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicle occupants, hereby petition the Borough of Collingswood, New Jersey, to provide a safer environment by installing four-way stop signs at the intersection of Park and Dill Avenues—without delay.
This intersection is unsafe for even the most defensive and cautious drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists because:
Southbound Travel on Dill Avenue:
Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists cannot see approaching traffic from EITHER direction on Park Avenue because cars parked on Park Avenue obstruct their view. This forces people to unsafely enter the intersection and hope that nothing is coming; and
East- and Westbound Travel on Park Avenue:
Similarly, when traveling in EITHER direction on Park Avenue, a driver cannot see whether a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorist is approaching the intersection from the southbound side of Dill Avenue.
The lack of stop signs at this intersection unnecessarily increases the risk of harm to nearby residents and the children, families, staff, and visitors of Little Learning Academy (LLA), a beloved neighborhood child care center. Sitting on the corner of Park and Dill Avenues, this is LLA’s nearest intersection. Limited parking options force people going to LLA to either use this intersection or park on Park Avenue and cross from between parked cars. When parking on Park Avenue and crossing over to LLA, pedestrians have a much better chance of being seen by motorists if they are forced to stop. And, when taking students on a neighborhood adventure, LLA’s staff must stand in the middle of Park Avenue to stop oncoming traffic until all students have safely crossed the street.
Similarly, PATCO users and some students of two other area schools must also use this intersection.
The dangerousness of this intersection is exacerbated by sun glare, darkness, inclement weather, and speeding and/or distracted drivers.
Many residents have either experienced or witnessed near-accidents at this intersection.
Clearly, improved community safety far outweighs any delay a motorist would have to endure by coming to a complete stop at this intersection.
Every other four-way intersection surrounding this one is a four-way stop (Park & Lees, Park & Conard, and Dill & Stokes). This one should be too.
Right now, depending on the direction of travel, the only option for a motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist is to slowly inch into the intersection and hope that nothing is coming.
Fortunately, there is an easy, common-sense solution!
Please install four-way stop signs at the intersection of Park and Dill Avenues.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The 4-Way Stop Signs at Park & Dill petition to Collingswood Borough, New Jersey was written by Andrea Snyder and is in the category Neighborhood Living at GoPetition.