Patch Readers Sound Off on Stop Signs in Monroe

Monroe, CT - If you’ve noticed an intersection in your neighborhood that could use a stop sign, you’re not alone.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that one-third of all intersection crashes in the United States occur at crossings controlled by stop signs. While they aren’t a perfect solution to dangerous intersections, studies have shown that installing all-way signs can reduce accidents by 40 to 60 percent.

When we asked Patch Readers in Monroe where they wanted to see a stop sign, some asked for stoplights while others just requested that drivers stop at the signs that are already in place. That’s not too much to ask according to a report from the Federal Highway Administration that showed the simple, and cheap, addition of “Stop Ahead” wording on roadways reduced accidents at controlled intersections by 15 percent.

We realize that no one knows the roads in Monroe better than its residents. Here’s what Patch Readers shared with us about their neighborhood’s intersections:

• "As someone with a student driver in the household I'll share my opinion - accidents narrowly avoided and that's with me in the car giving advice! As an experienced driver, I think they are tough intersections, too. 1) Cross Hill at Elm St. needs a stop LIGHT - not just signs, and 2) Elm at Rte. 111 needs left turn lights in all 4 directions. I know these aren't stop signs per se, but since you asked."
• "I agree with the stop light at Elm in Cross Hill. I have seen more people to blow that stop sign than I can count."
• "I would also like to see the stop signs added to the intersection of Bug Hill, Cutler's Farm, and Hawley Lane. There are currently stop signs on Hawley Lane and Bug Hill but I would like to see them added to Cutlers Farm. Trying to get out of Bug Hill or Hawley Lane can sometimes be difficult with card speeding up Cutlers Farm."
• "It's been dubbed the "Connecticut Roll." No matter what town you're in people will still just roll through the stop signs."
• "Swendsen and Camelot. There are stop signs on Camelot, but not Swendsen and it's difficult to see cars if going up Camelot because of the huge bush on the corner."

Is there a dangerous intersection on your block that didn’t make the list? Share it with us on our Monroe Patch Facebook page or in the comments below.