CONTINUING REPORTS OF HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC INCIDENTS AT THE WEATHERSFIELD & 15/501 INTERSECTION

Quite a few drivers exiting the village at this complicated intersection, and intending to pull into the crossover to turn left onto 15/501 southbound, appear to incorrectly believe they can seize the right-of-way from southbound vehicles that are approaching, or are sitting in their own set-off left turning lane waiting for a break in northbound traffic to enter the village. In just this past month, we received four reports of exiting drivers who have created a hazard by failing to yield and then aggressively (honking, using crude hand signals, or shaking fists) and incorrectly asserting that they were in the right. Surely, more than four drivers have misunderstood their road rights at this dangerous crossover and have also improperly pulled out risking an accident.   

Left turning exiting village vehicles must yield to all left turning entering vehicles at that intersection. While it is legal for one exiting vehicle to be in the crossover awaiting a break in southbound traffic, if a left-turning southbound vehicle is approaching or sitting in the set-off turn lane awaiting safe entry, they have the right-of way vis a vis left-turning exiting traffic. Summary: when exiting left (southbound) onto 15/501, it is generally safer to cross the highway using the traffic control signal at Village Way.

VILLAGE PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS

Walk Facing Traffic

Vehicles, Give 'Em a Break

We continue to receive periodic reports--and some documentation--of serious close encounters involving pedestrians and vehicles, especially on (but not limited to) Creekwood, Weathersfield, in the current construction zone along Millcroft Road, and the portion of Beechmast between its upper and lower intersections with Village Way. For some important safety and legal perspective on such dangerous blending of pedestrians and motorists, see pages 6 and 7 of the "FHA Report on Roads and Road Safety Issues in Fearrington Village" https://goo.gl/eaMTEu.

Whenever possible, walkers should use the extensive network of paths and trails in the village rather than walk along or on the roads; however, since the trails and paths are designed for nature walks in woods, green spaces, and close to streams and ponds, and many village streets have no sidewalk for pedestrians, walkers headed to other destinations often have to walk along the sides of roads and streets for at least a portion of their walk.

Drivers need to realize that pedestrians along the road often have no other walking option to get to their intended destination and sometimes need to walk along a road to reach an entrance to a trail or path. Drivers and pedestrians need to understand their sometimes forced partnership and exercise unusual caution. Pedestrians need to face on-coming traffic and carefully step off the roadway when a vehicle approaches; drivers need to SLOW DOWN and give walkers a break (the ground on the side of these roadways is often rough and uneven and can be unsafe surfaces on which to walk). Many vehicles drive these sections of roadway at speeds in excess of 40mph (15+ mph over the speed limit).