As expected, the construction of the new Route 52 intersection at US 1 has caused traffic complications in the area
By P.J. D’Annunzio, Staff Writer, KennettTimes.com
KENNETT — A traffic report from the township Board of Supervisors shows that the increased volume of traffic being funneled through the narrow construction corridors of US 1 is causing a commensurate increase in automobile accidents.
Many drivers are using the township’s smaller roads in order to bypass the congested US 1 and get to their destinations quickly. This, however, represents a greater danger as these roads tend to be winding and harder to negotiate at high speeds.
Accidents are up 11% from last year’s 95 accidents to this year’s 105 (year to date). Two of these accidents where on Kaolin Road and a further three were reported on Hillendale Road, the intersection of Bayard and Hillendale Roads, and McFarlan Road. There were also 5 accidents reported on US-1 accounting for 31% of the monthly total.
The increased volume of accidents has prompted township officials to take corrective measures.
“The ‘Watch For Stopped traffic’ sign at the Bayard Road ‘S’ curves has been installed,” township Supervisors chair Allan Falcoff said, “PennDot has [also] approved the ‘No Traffic On Shoulder” and ‘No Right on Red’ signs for the 52/Hillendale intersection.”
Despite the posting of new signs, some drivers remain oblivious to them, exacerbating an already volatile traffic situation.
“Though the flasher installation at MacFarlan and Rosedale Roads is complete, within the first week we had an accident where a person ran the flashing light without ever braking,” Falcoff said.
At least one of the reported accidents was lethal, causing great concern within the township’s administration.
“A recent fatality accident and a resident’s inquiry have made us aware that there is no posted speed limit on Burnt Mill Road,” Falcoff said, “This is a state road and an unposted road in Pennsylvania has an implied speed limit of 55 miles per hour. We will attempt to have the state post this road with a 35 miles per hour speed limit as Delaware has done on their portion.”
Falcoff encourages residents to sign up for the County “ReadyNotify” emergency response system via www.readynotifypa.org. As per a letter from the County Emergency Service Coordinator, ReadyNotify will not be broadcasting advisories on commercial systems until they are convinced that that the correct information is disseminated: An accident last week in West Whiteland Township involving a tanker truck explosion had at least one public broadcaster putting their own spin on the emergencey message.
