Parking and pedestrian safety issues

Posted 1/30/25

Pedestrian safety can be addressed by also enforcing parking regulations. Doing so would increase visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. Title 75 under the Pennsylvania General Assembly prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

Another safety concern is the need to address the right-of-way rules at the offset intersection of Germantown Avenue and Southampton Avenue. My neighbor recently had an ugly encounter when turning right from West Southampton Avenue, narrowly avoiding a left-turning vehicle from East Southampton Avenue. That driver berated her saying, "You cut me off." …

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Parking and pedestrian safety issues

Posted

Pedestrian safety can be addressed by also enforcing parking regulations. Doing so would increase visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. Title 75 under the Pennsylvania General Assembly prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

Another safety concern is the need to address the right-of-way rules at the offset intersection of Germantown Avenue and Southampton Avenue. My neighbor recently had an ugly encounter when turning right from West Southampton Avenue, narrowly avoiding a left-turning vehicle from East Southampton Avenue. That driver berated her saying, "You cut me off." He then threatened her with retaliation. I have had a number of close calls with left-turning vehicles when turning right and crossing over.

Perhaps implementing changes to signal phasing may mitigate conflicts and better protect all of us. Left turns from East Southampton Avenue on the green arrow only may be another safety measure to investigate. This dangerous intersection is ripe for disaster.

Then there's the issue of human behavior, which is a contributing factor, but that's a whole other story.

Bridget Irons

Chestnut Hill