I start by saying I have worked in civil engineering (highway and bridge) design for over 30 years. I have worked on numerous traffic study projects, signal and lighting design, signage and other related projects.

I’ll agree that losing any life in an accident is tragic, however, I have to agree with City Engineer Steve Jahnke that they will look at the data (traffic volumes, speed, accidents, etc.) in the area before making a recommendation on adding stop signs.

Just adding a stop sign does not mean people will pay attention to it, as one other comment suggested at another nearby intersection that it is often ignored by motorists.

Adding too many stop signs will likely result in more motorists ignoring the signs, but that is part of human nature. Just as in some areas, if you have too many signs, the motorists begin to ignore them and they may cause more problems as people pay attention to them and not to the road.

Look at the sight lines at these intersections. Are there trees, shrubs, flowers, weeds or vehicles parked creating a blind spot?

You can place all the signs you want, but unless the city also backs enforcement by the book by the police department, all the signs will end up doing little good and may result in more problems.

If everyone watched their own driving, followed the existing signs and set an example for others, this would go much further than most any signage. If you see your friend or neighbor ignoring the speed limit (in your opinion driving too fast), stop or yield signs, texting or otherwise being distracted, say something.

I personally know of a case about 40 years ago where, in the Shoreland Heights area, my brother and a friend were following a car (pretty close) on bicycles and my brother was hit by an oncoming driver making a left turn. He ended up bruised and with a broken leg. My brother was lucky.

I don’t know all the facts of this case, but have to ask, was the driver distracted in any way? I say anyway as it might not just be a cellphone, but a dog barking, fireworks going off nearby, tuning the radio or maybe eating, or a glare from the sun reflecting, thus temporarily blinding the driver?

Please, don’t rush into just putting up signs and likely causing more problems. Let the city engineer study the data and prepare a recommendation.

 

Carroll J. Aasen Jr.

St. Paul