Please get this note to public officials

I see what you mean -- the corner diagonally opposite the Paul Peck Center, right? My wife and I drove down that way the other night and it took forever to make that simple turn onto Market from JFK. Why can't they put a traffic cop there?

I believe it is a district commanders decision, highway division...daily they are sitting near construction streets work...for 8 hours, diverting traffic that has cones and detour markers placed, no need for a traffic officer sitting all day..

(Quoting Bob Shipman): 'I believe it is a district commanders decision, highway division...daily they are sitting near construction streets work...for 8 hours, diverting traffic that has cones and detour markers placed, no need for a traffic officer sitting all day.'

Thanks, Bob Shipman. But there are intersections with known congestion/gridlock problems where a policeman will routinely be posted during rush hour, to keep things moving and inhibit disruptive behavior. This is sorely needed in various places, including this intersection. Is this not an appropriate place to post this sort of complaint? I thought that better-informed citizens monitored these tickets and redirected them to responsible public offices. Many thanks!

So here we are at the light. The vehicles in the left foreground, which are in the LEFT TURN ONLY lane, have driven up beside a long queue of regulation-abiding citizens and are starting to drift into the intersection. Some have signaled that they are about to turn left, while others have given no indication.

Suddenly, all vehicles in the LEFT TURN ONLY lane change direction and jam things up for everyone who has waited patiently in the designated RIGHT TURN ONLY lane.

yes, this is obnoxious behavior. i love it when the people turning right from the left lane get indignant when the other drivers honk at them. i also like how they don't even turn intot he proper lane, cutting into the lane for those turning from the correct lane.

FWIW, there was a drexel officer sitting here with his lights on this morning.

The Drexel Police started ticketing almost everyone making illegal turns at this intersection, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours. They're pulling people over en masse. I just graduated from their Criminal Justice program; after speaking to one of the Drexel Police they said it is a serious pedestrian safety issue since illegally turning vehicles often can't see crossing students.

Thank God. It still needs a traffic cop to get traffic flowing, though. They need to remove that crosswalk and use the one on the other side of the intersection, too.

Right on, Rob Slater. Thanks for the update. Ticketing is not the best solution, though it might discourage offenders for a time. To have police direct traffic would do more to prevent personal injury, which is far more important than property. I hope students will be mindful while crossing.

Glad to see drexel police have the authority to give tickets for this antisocial and selfish behavior. I have been almost hit by a left hand lane person making an illegal right turn at this same intersection!

funny thing is, while the drexel pd is around the corner giving out tickets to people making illegal turns, people continue making illegal turns. selfish behavior indeed.

email sent to >16th District
District Headquarters
39th St and Lancaster Ave.
215-686-3160
police.co_16@phila.gov
7/8/2010

email sent to >16th District
District Headquarters
39th St and Lancaster Ave.
215-686-3160
police.co_16@phila.gov
7/8/2010

07/13/2010 @5:15pm - motorist making illegal right hand turn from left hand lane

I agree that motorists' behavior here is appalling. Many a taxi has heard the wrath of a '99 Chrysler horn as they cut into the intersection.

If there's a way to make it safe for pedestrians, I think it'd be better to just turn the left lane into a right OR left turn lane. The problem here is that the intersection can't handle the traffic it's being asked to, and that's not going to go away unless it's really fixed.

Since there is very little reason to be on the northwest corner of the intersection, perhaps the pedestrian crossing should be removed. People walking westbound would just need to walk down to 33rd St, and people walking eastbound could cross on the east side of the intersection. Only the Firestone and the office building would be made (mildly) more inconvenient, and I doubt that Drexel pedestrians are going to either one.

Maybe a red light camera, with a lot of stiff fines will help change behavior. Sometimes I think a shot to the wallet is all that Philly drivers will understand.

It's not during red cycles where this is a problem - it's during the green.