Victory in safety campaign

SALISBURY — Unexpectedly, the state road through the center of Salisbury  could get significantly safer in the coming months, thanks to efforts by a grassroots group and by First Selectman Curtis Rand.

There have been several instances in recent years of cars hitting pedestrians on Route 44, including one that occurred in September. The woman in the crash was injured but survived.

Other incidents have resulted in significant injuries and even one fatality. The husband of the woman killed in December 2017  when a car hit her as she crossed the street teamed up with one man who was very badly injured after being struck by a pickup truck on the road.

John Pogue and Tom Shachtman first sent a letter to the editor of The Lakeville Journal, published in the Sept. 19 edition of the paper. They contacted First Selectman Rand and offered strong encouragement and support for implementation of safety features along the road. 

Rand responded with a detailed explanation of all the ways the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) will not enhance safety on the road, which is under the state’s control.

Undaunted, Pogue and Shachtman have been out in Salisbury collecting names on a petition demanding action. 

On Friday, Oct. 4, Rand answered their petition prayer to have safety lights at the side of the road. Initially, the state had said the beacons, as they are called, are no longer allowed on state roads.

On Friday morning, Rand said in his email, “The federal prohibition against beacons has been lifted — the issue was not one of safety but rather patents. Thus, we will be free to install them at the Salisbury crosswalk; they would be owned, installed and maintained by the town: no DOT involvement, except DOT must approve the installation.”

He said he is now seeking the contractors who can do the work and “we must figure out the crosswalks by The White Hart on both [Routes] 44 and 41.”

Rand added, “There is some quantitative evidence that I will try to provide that makes a strong case for lowering the speed limits. I am determined to push again for this because  lowering the speed limits would benefit the stopping distances required for cars entering crosswalks, helping pedestrians, not cars.”

Shachtman responded to Rand’s email with praise and appreciation, and said he and Pogue will continue to collect names on their petition through the Salisbury Fall Festival weekend (Oct. 11 to 13) “to help you in your work with the various authorities.”

Drivers are reminded that they are required to stop for pedestrians crossing the road at the marked crosswalks and that they should stop for anyone trying to cross any roads. Pedestrians are reminded that cars are only required to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk; they should exercise caution at all times when crossing and be sure that drivers have seen them before they step off the curb and onto the road.