New signs, higher fines, could increase pedestrian safety

The last signs needed to designate a school zone on Route 7/Railroad Street are up. It is hoped that they will slow drivers in the area that encompasses a crosswalk used by school children.The state Department of Transportation (DOT) signs are a response to a request by the town to help slow vehicles after a parent was arrested for ignoring the signal of the crossing guard, nearly running down the guard and a student at the Orchard/Bragg/ Railroad Street intersection. The incident led the guard, Don Caranci, to push harder for the changes he had already sought.The Board of Selectmen acts as the local traffic commission here, in the absence of a police department. But the request for more control in relation to the crosswalk came from the Board of Education. The State Traffic Commission did an engineering study that recommended school crosswalk signs with flashing amber lights at either end of the zone — at a cost of $10,000 apiece to whichever board made the initial request. School board members decided it was too expensive.On Feb. 25, DOT workers replaced old, orange pedestrian crossing signs with fluorescent school crossing signs at two crosswalks. The state’s plan adds a crosswalk in front of the former Canaan Market.Workers returned March 12 to install signs at either end of the school zone stating that fines would be doubled.The signs are black and white and relatively small. It remains to be seen whether they will stand out in an area with a lot of other signage and distractions.The Lakeville Journal sent several emails to Judd Everhart, media contact for the DOT, asking if there is a higher-profile sign, short of the flashing light signage. A good deal of information was sent back, but the short answer is: No.First Selectman Douglas Humes, who works for another division of the DOT, said the installed signs are the only option. “I can understand the school board not wanting to pay for the flashing lights,” Humes said. “If that is not going to happen, my recommendation is that the school require all children who would have to cross there ride a school bus. Then it would be up to parents to make sure their children get to school safely.”It would be the same approach taken two years ago when the crossing guard was removed from Main Street in the center of town. Cars were traveling over the speed limit there, however, and children and parents weren’t following safety protocols at the crossing. The town released itself from liability by not manning a crosswalk there. The change came at the recommendation of then-Resident State Trooper Jim Promotico.Not that many years ago, the school required all students living within a mile of the school to walk to school. That was modified in response to concerns about crossing state highways (Main Street in North Canaan is a state highway). A drop in enrollment coincided with a request from the PTO to allow all children the option of riding a bus. With room on buses and no need to alter routes, all restrictions were dropped. Humes said he would ask interim Resident State Trooper David Collins to be at the crosswalk more often. Caranci said Collins occasionally operates radar there, but that drivers are still speeding and using cell phones.The new crosswalk lines will be painted after Railroad Street is repaved, which may be this summer.