After my son's stroller was struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing with a walk light, and hearing others' stories of the dangers to pedestrians in Andover's Town Center, I'd like to propose changes be made to help protect those on foot in the area.
Some suggestions made so far:
1. Installation of flashing crosswalk lights with floodlights illuminating the crosswalks, such as those at Phillips Academy.
2. Raised crosswalks at the mid-block crosswalks in front of Boston Running and The Savings Bank.
3. Hand-held crosswalk "flags" such as those implemented by Arlington: http://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=2272
Please consider adding your name to let the Town know that you would be interested in seeing improvements made, and feel free to add any comments with suggestions of your own. Thank you!
Updates
February 10, 2017
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by how many people have joined this effort since I first put my thoughts down. It is all of you who have turned this into something that simply cannot be ignored by our town officials.
15 Comments
The intersection of Central and Chesnut is terrifying. I cross at the crosswalk, wait for acknowledgement of cars before crossing and yet I have nearly been hit numerous times by aggressive drivers that come up behind the stopped cars, go around them and then slam on their breaks when they realize I'm crossing. Someone is going to get seriously injured or killed if action is not taken at some of these high traffic areas. Elm/Main and at the Train stop most notably
I walk 4-5 miles around town several days per week and am amazed at the number of distracted drivers, people who go through red lights, stop signs and crosswalks
We also need help for the crosswalk behind West elementary school (near Rolling Ridge). Lots of children use this for school and drivers often do not stop and go very fast down High Plain Road, thanks!
Crossing downtown and near the high school and middle school are awful! Why do we have a yellow flashing light near the middle school that doesn't work as a crossing light? It should be able to be pressed to change to red. People running bus stop lights is a huge issue too.
4 years ago I was hit by a hit and run driver at the intersection of shawsheen and 133 riding my bicycle. Andover severely lacks intersection survalence and I'm so happy to see someone finally taking action to change that.
I always drive super slowly through town and stop for all pedestrians, but have witnessed so many that don't slow down or stop. I wish you luck with your endeavor.
Perhaps more police presence in the downtown area and enforcing. There are so many vehicles not stopping at crosswalks not only from multitasking but being in such a hurry.
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After my son's stroller was struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing with a walk light, and hearing others' stories of the dangers to pedestrians in Andover's Town Center, I'd like to propose changes be made to help protect those on foot in the area.
Some suggestions made so far:
1. Installation of flashing crosswalk lights with floodlights illuminating the crosswalks, such as those at Phillips Academy.
2. Raised crosswalks at the mid-block crosswalks in front of Boston Running and The Savings Bank.
3. Hand-held crosswalk "flags" such as those implemented by Arlington: http://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showdocument?id=2272
Please consider adding your name to let the Town know that you would be interested in seeing improvements made, and feel free to add any comments with suggestions of your own. Thank you!
Updates
February 10, 2017
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by how many people have joined this effort since I first put my thoughts down. It is all of you who have turned this into something that simply cannot be ignored by our town officials.
15 Comments
I live and work in Andover and walk to and from work every day and every day I come close to being hit by careless distracted drivers. Good luck with this. One of the town planners wants to make Andover a walking friendly town, the walk signals have to be reconfigured as a start. They do not favor walkers.
The intersection of Central and Chesnut is terrifying. I cross at the crosswalk, wait for acknowledgement of cars before crossing and yet I have nearly been hit numerous times by aggressive drivers that come up behind the stopped cars, go around them and then slam on their breaks when they realize I'm crossing. Someone is going to get seriously injured or killed if action is not taken at some of these high traffic areas. Elm/Main and at the Train stop most notably
I walk 4-5 miles around town several days per week and am amazed at the number of distracted drivers, people who go through red lights, stop signs and crosswalks
We also need help for the crosswalk behind West elementary school (near Rolling Ridge). Lots of children use this for school and drivers often do not stop and go very fast down High Plain Road, thanks!
Crossing downtown and near the high school and middle school are awful! Why do we have a yellow flashing light near the middle school that doesn't work as a crossing light? It should be able to be pressed to change to red. People running bus stop lights is a huge issue too.
4 years ago I was hit by a hit and run driver at the intersection of shawsheen and 133 riding my bicycle. Andover severely lacks intersection survalence and I'm so happy to see someone finally taking action to change that.
I always drive super slowly through town and stop for all pedestrians, but have witnessed so many that don't slow down or stop. I wish you luck with your endeavor.
Perhaps more police presence in the downtown area and enforcing. There are so many vehicles not stopping at crosswalks not only from multitasking but being in such a hurry.
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I live and work in Andover and walk to and from work every day and every day I come close to being hit by careless distracted drivers. Good luck with this. One of the town planners wants to make Andover a walking friendly town, the walk signals have to be reconfigured as a start. They do not favor walkers.