Does Groton Have Too Many Red Lights?

If you’re frustrated with the red light situation in Groton, you are in good company.

While stop lights are one of the necessary evils of commuting, they don’t guarantee safety for pedestrians or cooperation from drivers.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red-light running is the number one cause of urban crashes. Furthermore in 2013, approximately 127,000 people were injured in red-light related accidents.

In August 2015, the National Coalition for Safer Roads released an interactive safety map that would allow users to see the number of red-light running deaths in their area as part of the group’s ‘Stop on Red’ initiative.

At Patch, we appreciate that our readers and motorists know the stop lights in Groton best. We asked you on Facebook how you felt about the red lights in our area. Could Groton use more red lights? Are there too many? What intersections need a stop light, or can get rid of one?

Here’s what readers said on social media:

- "It's not how many it has its that too many run them! I can't count how many times my family and I have almost been smashed by light runners! There is never any police around either."

- "No, I believe most of the lights are at 2 & 4 way intersections and they are needed there! Because even were there are 2 & 4 way intersections with stop signs people don't follow the laws on who is next to go."

- "I think the town/city needs to start using red light cameras. So many of the main intersections are extremely dangerous with people running the lights, especially going into and coming out of Stop N Shop shopping center."

- "People just need to be reeducated on driving laws. Red means stop, Green means go."

- "I believe there is an adequate amount of traffic lights with two exceptions; The intersection of Poquonnock and High Rock roads as well as the Rt. 184 connector from Rt.12 (that puts you up near Groton Inn and Suites) which should at least allow for a right turn on red from the right lane."

- "There is a right amount of stop lights in Groton. The 4 way intersection comic out of the Khols and Stop and Shop plaza is horrible though and should have red light cameras and more enforcement."

- "Not nearly enough."

Is there a red light in Groton you can’t stand? Is there an intersection that could desperately use a red light? Let us know on Facebook.