Walkable?

Comment

Comment by Kenneth Harper on July 23, 2010 at 11:45am

After watching this video you see how long a person has to wait to cross this intersection safely. I think most drivers don't even see the sign by the pole.

Comment by Roxanne Lucchesi on July 20, 2010 at 11:18am

Mr. Harper:

I wish I could attend the meeting tonight but I recently had foot surgery and am not ambulatory. I appreciate that you will bring this up at tonight's council meeting. This intersection is dangerous for all--school children, residents and visitors to our borough's business center.

I particularly like the idea of undercover police officers acting as pedestrians. It is my feeling that a combination of personal warnings, citations, fines and educational pamphlets would be very effective.

Also, here are some pedestrian crossing signs and systems that I found online:

I like this first one as it blinks and is solar-powered: BLINKER PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGN.

I like this sign because it reminds/educates motorists that stopping for pedestrians is a state law: State Law Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk Sign. This sign also comes in white.

Here is an alternative to the sign currently planted in the middle of the street: Stop for pedestrian traffic warning sign system.

This sign is straightforward: Aluminum School Sign: Stop For Pedestrian In Crosswalk.

And here is a transportable barricade sign: Stop For Pedestrians In Crosswalk Barricade.

And finally, my favorite pedestrian safety system, which was mentioned by Linda Shockley: HAWK Pedestrian Signal. The HAWK Pedestrian Signal, which includes a red signal indicator, has been shown to have up to a 97% driver compliance rate, comparable to a conventional traffic signal: see here for more details, a printable HAWK brochure and video.

I may try to make this evening's meeting. What time is it? And will it still be on the first floor where voting takes place?

Thank you for your response.

Roxanne

Comment by Kenneth Harper on July 20, 2010 at 10:04am

Hi Roxanne,
I will bring this up at tonight's council meeting, you are also welcome to come, and give some input about what you would like borough council to take some action on this. I do know that it is a public safety issue for the citizens of Ridley Park, and also for those that are visiting Ridley Park.

Comment by Roxanne Lucchesi on July 19, 2010 at 10:23am

I heard this story on KYW on Friday morning and thought it was a great idea: South Jersey Towns Stage Pedestrian Crosswalk Stings. In 13 New Jersey towns this summer, undercover police officers will be walking crosswalks to make sure drivers stop for pedestrians. When motorists fail to stop for the undercover 'pedestrians,' they are pulled over and either given an educational pamphlet or a citation. Maybe Ridley Park can do something like this?

BTW -- Pennsylvania Driver / Pedestrian Law, Section 3542, states that: "When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." -- Pennsylvania Driver / Pedestrian Laws

Also: "Whenever any vehicle is stopped at any crosswalk at an intersection or at any marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle."

Thank you.

Comment by Vera Fante on July 19, 2010 at 8:43am

The cars turning right onto Hinckley from Swarthmore are horrible.
They turn without a turn signal or even slowing down.
Most of the time I can hear their wheels screech from turning so fast.
To cross that corner, you have to stand out into the middle of the street---- hoping no one is planning on turning!

Comment by Linda Shockley on July 15, 2010 at 10:06pm

I saw something in the news a couple of years ago about a special pedestrian traffic light. It would only work if a pedestrian pressed a button, then a red light would light up on Swarthmore Ave & flashing lights would flash across the street so drivers could see the pedestrian. Hope I explained that clearly. If that were done, it wouldn't cause a traffic jam b/c it would only be used when needed for someone crossing the street.

Comment by Roxanne Lucchesi on July 15, 2010 at 11:20am

Thank you for this video.

I live at this intersection. It is so dangerous. I often wonder if there could be a traffic light put at this intersection. Despite the (supposed) speed limit, the pedestrian crosswalks and the almost-totally-ignored pedestrian crossing sign, daytime traffic here is horrible. During the daytime, vehicles come down Swarthmore Avenue from the direction of MacDade, come over the bridge over the railroad tracks and zoom-- without warning and without slowing down--into a right turn onto Hinckley. God help you if you have the misfortune to be crossing Hinckley at the time. Drivers rarely stop; more often they swear at you and/or make rude gestures because you are in their way. At night, cars and trucks speed (and I mean *speed*) and screech down Swarthmore Avenue right below my bedroom window --usually, but not always, from the direction of Chester Pike towards MacDade Boulevard. I am awakened constantly by the traffic noises. It often sounds like people are using this straight strip of Swarthmore Avenue as a drag strip: Vroom-Vroom-Screeeech! (and, sometimes, Bang!)

Is there nothing that can be done about this dangerous intersection? Can't speed traps be set up? How about one of those cameras that snaps photos and sends tickets to speeders and violators? Once word gets out that dangerous driving at this spot will hit one's pocketbook, that should slow down some of the hazardous driving. We have so many children and older residents in this area of "family friendly" Ridley Park. I sincerely hope that it is not going to require the death of someone to get this issue addressed.

Thank you,
Ridley Park Resident with a Bird's Eye View and an Earful of Traffic Noise