Description
This is a dangerous traffic situation for pedestrians.
Pedestrians on the south side of Elm heading towards Church come into conflict with drivers exiting the garage, which do not come to a complete stop or look to the right before driving away.
A high ranking member of the City of New Haven staff was observed texting while driving (exiting the garage) here at approximately 7:35PM last night - happy to provide more details if wanted. He was completely oblivious to a pedestrian who was trying to establish eye contact in order to safely cross the curb cut.
A raised sidewalk, narrowed exit (using bumped-out curbs) and system of speed bumps, as well as improved signage, would help here.
19 Comments
High Ranking Member of City Hall Staff (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
why would someone stop to snap a picture if they felt they were about to be run over?
i agree though - definitely worth camping out here to snap a few pictures of offenders if someone has a good camera for evening use.
the point is probably that the intersection is not correctly designed , and the state/city may need a stricter Texting while Driving penalty -- not that the particular incident can be corrected.
Derek (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Anstress Farwell (Guest)
Times have changed. Years ago when the garage was under construction, the Deputy Development Administrator told me that he was particularly proud that they had found a way to reduce the angle of the garage ramps to allow limousines easy access to reserved parking near the office of the Mayor and what was then the office of Downtown and Harbor Development. He added, "developers don't want to walk in the front door of City Hall." As awful as it is to be pedestrian who is endangered by the "me-and-my-car-first-top-of-the-food-chain" mindset, it is also stunning how much progress has been made in changing norms, thanks to Elm City Cycling, SeeClickFix and New Haven Safe Streets.
So yes, let's shift the priorities to include safe and good sidewalks. Let's ask city hall to remind garage users to obey traffic laws, and maybe reserve some of those choice parking spots for bikes, rather than limos.
Anonymous (Guest)
WOW (Guest)
You really need to find something else to complain about. In a city that is a disaster area you need to cry about almost being hit by someone who may or may not have been texting or using a calculator on the phone.
If they put a raised sidewalk then some idiot who falls off the curb will sue the city.
I was raised that a car has the right of way simply because its gonna hurt like hell when it hits you, I understand some liberal person made people believe that pedestrians have the right of way but that is just stupid.. (have you ever tried to have the right of way as a pedestrian in NYC)
I see all these inner city youth playing frogger with cars across all city streets in every city because some dumb @#$% said they have the right of way and they can sue if they get hit.. If the law says the cars have the right of way you will see alot more people waiting for a crossing signal and crossing at the corners.
Complain to your wife about almost getting hit not to the world on a website ..
Ben (Guest)
Thanks for putting this on the site.
Eddie (Guest)
WOW. What an amazing display of civic apathy! You're saying that when people see a problem, they should shrug their shoulders and ignore it because there are also bigger problems in the world.
The law clearly states that automobiles must always yield the right of way to pedestrians. If you missed that in your driver's ed class, maybe it's time to go back for a refresher.
I'm astonished at your effort to turn good driving and sidewalks into a partisan issue. I guess it's true: Watching Fox News really does turn you into an idiot.
This is not a partisan political issue. The law says what it says -- not what you wish it would say. If you don't like it, lobby to get it changed. (Good luck with that!)
RE (Guest)
Anstress Farwell (Guest)
Ben Berkowitz (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
Is there a city review process for dangerous conditions like these? Maybe a letter to the BOA President?
Does anyone know who has jurisdiction over this area? NHPA?
E (Registered User)
To "WOW"
So what youre saying is, lets only complain when someone has been injured or killed?!?!??! You REALLY need to look at your priorities. You must not be a parent or a very calous one.
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Continues to be a concern. Perhaps an in-road ped sign would work in the short term?
Does anyone have contact information for the manager of this area?
E (Registered User)
mivaly (Registered User)
Stängt Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (Registered User)