Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Dear Supervisor Koran Saines, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and Loudoun County Planning Commissioners:
We the undersigned have serious concerns regarding the proposed plans to install flashing beacon lights at the Sterling Boulevard/Washington & Old Dominion Trail intersection in Sterling, Virginia. While we agree that this intersection currently poses a safety hazard, we do not feel the proposed beacon lights are an appropriate solution and in fact believe it will intensify the existing hazard.
As traffic on Sterling Boulevard has grown, the number of traffic incidents at this intersection has increased, ranging from fender benders to more serious accidents to struck cyclists. We believe one of the primary reasons for these incidents is a lack of understanding among drivers and cyclists on how to proceed at that intersection.
Cyclists have a STOP sign and are required to stop, give cars the right of way, and proceed once the street is clear. However, many of them do not seem to understand that and proceed through the intersection even when cars are approaching. Likewise, many drivers do not understand that, and they will stop when they see cyclists approaching the road on the path. Because this is a four-lane road and not all drivers will react the same way, either of these scenarios is extremely dangerous.
The flashing beacon lights will make drivers more aware of the intersection; however, as noted above, the problem is not lack of awareness but lack of understanding regarding how to proceed at the intersection. We believe that the lights, if anything, will exacerbate this problem and further confuse drivers and cyclists on how to proceed.
We understand that this proposed solution costs approximately $275,000. This is not only a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer funds but a dangerous one and we urge you to seek a more appropriate solution.
Thank you.
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Updates
August 11, 2016
The momentum we have built makes it impossible for the Board of Supervisors to keep ignoring the reckless flaws in their current plan. They need to stop pushing these dangerous beacon lights and actually listen to the people who use this intersection every single day.
41 Comments
Even as a cyclist myself, I agree that this is not the solution as it will only cause confusion among drivers and reinforce the incorrect assumption of cyclists that they have the right of way, despite their stop sign.
This is a lousy idea.The W&OD trail users have a stop sign, install a flashing beacon warning THEM to stop. Do not stop road traffic and place a device that will be sure to cause sudden stops and rear end accidents.
I really believe that flashing lights at the Sterling Blvd bike crossing would be a huge mistake! A lot of these bicyclist already think that they don't need to STOP. Please rethink this.. Thank You, Susan Babick
I agree that this is a waste of money that will not fix the problem. The behavior of the cyclists and drivers must be modified, not just awareness. In lieu of the very expensive bridge/tunnel solutions, I believe traffic must be diverted by a wall to an existing traffic light (to the west), where the behavior of through traffic and crossing traffic is already controlled.
Flashing lights at this location will only further confuse drivers. There needs to be clear signage for drivers to proceed and that bikes are to wait for a clearing to cross. Lights will only make more people slam on their brakes and cause more accidents. Clear signage and increased enforcement are the only thing that is going to help this situation.
This light will only make matters worse. Traffic will be backed up all the time and bikes will think the have tge right if way as long as they push the button. Leading to more accidents.
Try the least expensive solution first--Flashing lights on the bike path, next station police or car during the most traveled times, then try a bike rider responsive light (like Leesburg) with a delay. Are the bike riders in a race against time? Better save than fast!
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Dear Supervisor Koran Saines, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and Loudoun County Planning Commissioners:
We the undersigned have serious concerns regarding the proposed plans to install flashing beacon lights at the Sterling Boulevard/Washington & Old Dominion Trail intersection in Sterling, Virginia. While we agree that this intersection currently poses a safety hazard, we do not feel the proposed beacon lights are an appropriate solution and in fact believe it will intensify the existing hazard.
As traffic on Sterling Boulevard has grown, the number of traffic incidents at this intersection has increased, ranging from fender benders to more serious accidents to struck cyclists. We believe one of the primary reasons for these incidents is a lack of understanding among drivers and cyclists on how to proceed at that intersection.
Cyclists have a STOP sign and are required to stop, give cars the right of way, and proceed once the street is clear. However, many of them do not seem to understand that and proceed through the intersection even when cars are approaching. Likewise, many drivers do not understand that, and they will stop when they see cyclists approaching the road on the path. Because this is a four-lane road and not all drivers will react the same way, either of these scenarios is extremely dangerous.
The flashing beacon lights will make drivers more aware of the intersection; however, as noted above, the problem is not lack of awareness but lack of understanding regarding how to proceed at the intersection. We believe that the lights, if anything, will exacerbate this problem and further confuse drivers and cyclists on how to proceed.
We understand that this proposed solution costs approximately $275,000. This is not only a wasteful expenditure of taxpayer funds but a dangerous one and we urge you to seek a more appropriate solution.
Thank you.
Updates
August 11, 2016
The momentum we have built makes it impossible for the Board of Supervisors to keep ignoring the reckless flaws in their current plan. They need to stop pushing these dangerous beacon lights and actually listen to the people who use this intersection every single day.
41 Comments
Rider education needs to be provided and perhaps ticketing of those who do not observe the stop sign.
Even as a cyclist myself, I agree that this is not the solution as it will only cause confusion among drivers and reinforce the incorrect assumption of cyclists that they have the right of way, despite their stop sign.
This is a lousy idea.The W&OD trail users have a stop sign, install a flashing beacon warning THEM to stop. Do not stop road traffic and place a device that will be sure to cause sudden stops and rear end accidents.
I really believe that flashing lights at the Sterling Blvd bike crossing would be a huge mistake! A lot of these bicyclist already think that they don't need to STOP. Please rethink this.. Thank You, Susan Babick
I agree that this is a waste of money that will not fix the problem. The behavior of the cyclists and drivers must be modified, not just awareness. In lieu of the very expensive bridge/tunnel solutions, I believe traffic must be diverted by a wall to an existing traffic light (to the west), where the behavior of through traffic and crossing traffic is already controlled.
Flashing lights at this location will only further confuse drivers. There needs to be clear signage for drivers to proceed and that bikes are to wait for a clearing to cross. Lights will only make more people slam on their brakes and cause more accidents. Clear signage and increased enforcement are the only thing that is going to help this situation.
This light will only make matters worse. Traffic will be backed up all the time and bikes will think the have tge right if way as long as they push the button. Leading to more accidents.
Try the least expensive solution first--Flashing lights on the bike path, next station police or car during the most traveled times, then try a bike rider responsive light (like Leesburg) with a delay. Are the bike riders in a race against time? Better save than fast!
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Rider education needs to be provided and perhaps ticketing of those who do not observe the stop sign.