Descrizione
I know this topic is not easily resolved, but best put on the table.
This morning, I witnessed what I have MANY times. I draw your attention to the photo which shows the area of concern. As we all know, when heading towards Pershing, Division Street suddenly goes from 2 lanes to 3 as soon as it crosses the railroad tracks and without much warning before you come to a traffic signal.
I would have to say 50% of vehicles pass Stop & Shop unaware this is about to happen and/or unclear on which lane they should or desire to be in at the intersection. This causes at the very least a hazardous situation as those who were in the left lane suddenly decide as they cross the tracks they now want to be in the center or right lane and move there with no regard for vehicles already occupying that space.
Today, it was two cars who were in the right lane and decided they prefer to be all the way on the left for the signal so they just cut across the two lanes of traffic causing drivers to slam on their brakes to let them through. It was that or a collision.
I always find it hard to believe the state doesn't spot things like this during the design phase of projects and say "Gosh, we're going to create a mess suddenly having the road go to three lanes on the other side of train tracks." but they clearly don't.
Many think the only the left lane can be used to turn left (you can from the center also) and that you can go straight from ANY lane. That is fun to watch as several cars dash for the one lane leading up to Griffin when only the center lane had right of way.
Any reasonable solutions?
8 Commentos
frank (Ospite)
Ryan Healey (Utente registrato)
While it is not unusual for a turn lane to be added at an intersection like the one here towards CVS, the fact that the road changes on the other side of the tracks suddenly to three lanes catches drivers off guard and they seem to have NO idea which lane they should be in.
Frank, I would think a "no turn on red" sign would be a huge help in the area you describe. I agree with you, but I think drivers are used to looking for a sign telling them no right turn is permitted.
Bob Guy (Utente registrato)
Ryan Healey (Utente registrato)
Bob Guy,
I agree. It is not uncommon for a road to go from two to three lanes at an intersection.
What makes THIS uncommon is the train tracks/crossing. When you are passing Stop & Shop and heading towards CVS the tracks block driver's view of the road on the other side so you (unlike most intersections) can't see the road is about to suddenly become three lanes once you drive over the tracks.
This has caused MANY drivers to be caught off guard. If you don't quickly shift you'll find yourself between lanes or in a lane other than you want to be in at the intersection. The whole thing is poorly designed. Due to the tracks blocking view of the road ahead, Division should go to three lanes BEFORE the tracks so traffic has time to shift and adjust further ahead of the signal.
Bob Guy (Utente registrato)
Ryan Healey (Utente registrato)
Bob,
I welcome signage. What I don't welcome is people nearly smashing into each other every day because they decide AFTER crossing the tracks they prefer to be in one of the "sudden three lanes" other than they find themselves and have no regard for other vehicles already occupying that space.
reader (Ospite)
Randal Pledge (Ospite)
Yes, this happened to me just yesterday morning. An SUV next to me on the left lane as it approached the tracks. Of course, this would put them in the left lane on the other side. SURE ENOUGH, they suddenly swerved because they wanted the middle lane.. but I knew to slow down just before the tracks and let them cross or I would have gotten sideswiped. Watch this intersection for five minutes and you will see cars cross the tracks and just change lanes when caught off guard by the sudden three lane choices.
NO, you do not get to simply cross Division without signal or looking when it goes to 3 lanes without warning and you're prefer another one!
Yikes, what is the fix to this!?