PennDOT Investment in Traffic Safety Garners Mixed Reactions
Traffic safety improvements in Western Pennsylvania are necessary due to the area’s growing concerns about road safety. That includes high accident rates and traffic congestion. The area’s outdated road infrastructure and increased traffic demand call for improved road infrastructure to help prevent car accidents. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has invested money in traffic safety.
Western Pennsylvania residents are responding to PennDOT’s allocation of $13 million for 39 traffic safety projects statewide. PennDOT generated these funds from the Automated Red Light Enforcement program, with several initiatives poised for Allegheny County.
Which Pennsylvania areas received traffic safety funds?
An investment of just over $545,000 will fund the total replacement of the traffic signal at the intersection of Brownsville Road, Becks Run Road, and Biscayne Drive. According to PennDOT, the funding for these projects comes from fines collected from red light violations at 34 Philadelphia intersections.
Bethel Park in Pittsburgh will receive just over $1 million for improvements at the Hamilton and Baptist Road intersection. This area is located near Hamilton Presbyterian Church. Pastor Lance Chapman described this intersection as particularly hazardous due to inattentive drivers and difficult turns.
Edgewood Borough will benefit from a $292,000 grant for traffic signal enhancements along Braddock Avenue, including the addition of flashing yellow arrows. Meanwhile, in Oakland, PennDOT allocated $454,000 for a complete overhaul of the traffic signal at the Boulevard of the Allies and Ward Street intersection near Bellisario’s Automotive.
Bellisario’s employee, Jim Cassidy, expressed skepticism about the impact of a new traffic light on the existing traffic issues. “There’s always been traffic since I’ve been here. I don’t know what’s going to change with a different traffic light. That’s my confusion with that,” said Cassidy.
Common causes of intersection accidents
Intersection accidents can occur due to various factors, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. Some of the most common causes of intersection accidents in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania include:
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
Drivers who disregard traffic signals and fail to stop at red lights or stop signs can cause severe collisions with vehicles traveling through the intersection.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists at intersections can cause T-bone or side-impact collisions.
Distracted Driving
Distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents at intersections.
Speeding
Excessive speeding reduces a driver’s ability to stop or maneuver safely, leading to collisions when approaching intersections.
Intoxicated Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, significantly increasing the likelihood of intersection accidents.
Poor Weather Conditions
Reduced visibility, slippery roads, and poor traction in adverse weather conditions can contribute to intersection accidents if drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
Injured in a Pittsburgh crash? Get a law firm that does whatever it takes
Romanow Law Group applauds any efforts to improve traffic safety. But no matter how many safety measures are implemented, car accidents caused by negligence can occur on any road and at any intersection. From minor distractions to reckless driving, our Pittsburgh lawyers see the devastation car accidents cause. We fight to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure maximum compensation for our clients.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash, you can count on us to give your case the personalized attention it needs for a successful outcome. We’ll thoroughly investigate your crash, accurately estimate your damages, and negotiate for compensation that covers the full extent of your damages.
In addition, it doesn’t cost anything to hire us. That’s because we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay any upfront or hidden fees for our services, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. To get started, contact us online or call our law office in Pittsburgh.