Letters

Our family is praying for a neighbor who was hit by a van on Somerset Avenue in early December. She does not live on Somerset Avenue. She was walking her dog at around 5 p.m. when she was struck within the first 100 feet of entering Somerset from South Magee.

This tragic accident happened on a straight part of the road — not on a 90-degree turn or blind curve.

What could have prevented this terrible accident? Speed bumps, cautionary signage, a flashing radar speed alert, additional stops signs, cameras monitoring traffic or more street lighting? What about the absent patrol car entrusted with enforcing the existing “no right turn onto Hill Street” rule that was in effect at that hour?

No one can say for sure, but such speed-reducing tools are specifically designed to prevent traffic accidents. As for the “no right turn” rule, we all know enforcement is essential for it to be effective.

Two years ago, Somerset Avenue homeowners called for permanent closure of their street in the absence of a pedestrian accident, citing safety concerns. At that time, they rejected all other suggested safety measures.

After a year of heated meetings and a comprehensive months-long traffic study paid for by taxpayers, the professional recommendation adopted was that Corrigan Street, Bishops Lane and Somerset Avenue continue to share the traffic burden armed with new “no right turn onto Hill Street” restrictions during peak commuting hours.

Despite a perplexing lack of enforcement, the plan has worked to reduce gridlock, due, in part, we believe, to effective signage.

Following this accident, Somerset homeowners are again demanding closure as the first and only step. Behind closed doors, they’ve crafted a bespoke plan with our elected officials to cut off all traffic heading south to Hill Street on Somerset Avenue from South Magee.

If Somerset becomes essentially a one-way street north, traffic will shift to Bishops Lane, increasing danger exponentially on that street, as well the tiny streets that surround it, including, ironically, the victim’s street. She will now live in the new “ground zero” of traffic heading west.

We all share the goal of safety. Somerset has approximately 32 homes. Shifting all its traffic to Bishops Lane will create unacceptable risk for hundreds of other homeowners and taxpayers who don’t live on Somerset, as well as thousands of other drivers who need access to our public roads, now more than ever.

Do we close every road where an accident happens? Or do we start by installing proven safety methods to reduce the risk of accidents?

I respectfully ask our elected officials to proceed with caution: consider speed bumps before closures.

Amanda Grove Holmen

Southampton Village