Avon Concerned About Unsafe Driving

AVON, CT — Like most mothers of teenagers, Avon resident Carrie Firestone worries whenever her children, aged 16 and 18, get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

But, these days, she said, she fears whenever they, simply, go outside and walk down the street. Or walk the dog. Or ride as a passenger in another vehicle, even her own.

Firestone, 51, a novelist and community activist, isn't merely being an overprotective mother. She said she's noticing anecdotal evidence motorists are simply less safe than before.

And because of that, she and a group of residents are hosting a special forum Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Avon Free Public Library to discuss, what she says, is a growing problem on local roads.

The event starts at 7 p.m. in the library's community room. The library is located at 281 Country Club Road.

Firestone said the problem appears national, with many communities reporting scary situations on roads, especially since the pandemic.

"We agree this is a national issue and we have to start somewhere," Firestone said. "We shouldn't have to hide in our homes to feel safe."

According to Firestone, the problem isn't one, specific, example of unsafe driving. It's a general lack of common sense motoring, she said.

The town, like many others, is experiencing "a rise in erratic, reckless and dangerous driving," according to an announcement of the program.

For example, Firestone said local residents on community Facebook groups are complaining of drivers crossing the center line, pulling out in front of people, passing in no-passing zones, driving too fast on local roads and other risky behaviors.

The end result of this perceived trend is more than dented fenders, but bruised psyches.

"People feel unsafe to walk their pets, ride their bikes or let their kids play and teach their kids to drive," Firestone said.

Expected at Tuesday's forum are representatives from the Avon Police Department, local town council members and, Firestone said, state Rep. Rep. Eleni Kavros Degraw, D-Avon.

While police will be there and the library is hosting the forum, those entities are not sponsoring it.

Rather, this forum is born out of the concerns of residents, Firestone said, and the goal is a dialogue beyond simple social media rants or blaming.

She said part of the forum will be dedicated to participants discussing their experiences with the problem, with police hosting a question-and-answer session.

Then potential solutions and actions will be mulled over.

As for why there is a perceived uptick in the amount of risky driving reported, no one seems to have a firm answer.

Firestone said some claim it has to do with more delivery services, perceptions of folks always being in a hurry and, perhaps, people being more distracted (phones?) or stressed while they drive.

Firestone admits Tuesday's event won't completely solve the problem. That could take a while.

But, she said, it's a chance for people to discuss in a civil manner what many are noticing.

"It's just an opportunity for us to all be in the same room," Firestone said.