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Residents' complaints have led to proposed four-way stops at two dangerous intersections on Hillside Avenue.Ordinances establishing the stops passed on first reading last Monday and will be up for public hearings and final passage on Aug. 17. The meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
The City Council has heard many complaints about drivers speeding on long straightaways such as Hillside Avenue. The ordinances add stop signs on Prospect and Evergreen avenues where they cross Hillside. (Click image to enlarge.)
Four-way stops are not as common here as they are in other cities. The first time I saw a lot of them was on a visit to Seattle, and I marveled at how politely the drivers yielded in turn to each other. The success of a four-way stop depends on courtesy, which is sometimes lacking in so-called "Jersey drivers."
Here's the rule for four-way stops, as set forth in The New Jersey Driver Manual:
At a multi-way stop or stop intersection, a motorist must yield to the motorist on the right if both motorists get there at the same time. A motorist should also yield to another motorist already stopped at the intersection
Having frequently seen drivers go through red lights just because they were waiting to go when the light changed, I hope drivers at these four-way stops will actually stop and yield according to the rule.
Are there any other four-way stops in Plainfield? I would like to hear about them, if so.
--Bernice
An occasional speeding ticket might be appropriate. I have never seen any motorist receive one?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Bernice. I recommended that to the City Council nearly four years ago for Watchung and Prospect to stop people from speeding down from Woodland and creating a dangerous situation. I hope they can use this simple, inexpensive solution to stop people using Watchung and Prospect like raceways.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Bob Bolmer
Hi Bernice,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. The intersection of Prospect and Kensington Avenues is also very dangerous and has been the site of many bad wrecks over the years. It would be great to add a 4-way stop there too. The speed bumps on Kensington have been lowered to the point they don't require motorists to slow down going over them. As a result, Kensington becomes a bit of a speedway because there are no stops signs between Watchung and Park Avenues.
Tom Kaercher
the entire length of West 8th is used as a bypass for West 7th as there is only 1 light on 8th and people RACE for that light by the library... the intersections approaching the light at West 8th and Park should be 4 way stops as well .. 8th and Madison & 8th and Arlington..
ReplyDeleteThank you Bernice. As a new resident on Hillside Ave since January, I can tell you that the speeding issue is a problem. I am delighted that the City Council is taking this step and also appreciate the enhanced police presence hoping that this will further deter speeding in our neighborhood.
ReplyDelete