Does Vernon Have Too Many Red Lights?

If you’re frustrated with the red light situation in Vernon, 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 Vernon best. We asked you on Facebook how you felt about the red lights in our area. Could Vernon 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:

- "Wish more of them were sensored and not timed. Ridiculous to be sitting at a red light and there's NO traffic going the other way. Couple of intersections could use left turn arrows as well."

- "They really need one in front of Dunkin Donuts near United Bank and China Taste. There is ALWAYS an accident there. Also, over by McDonald's and Burger King, near 1-84. I think it's Reservoir Road. There are ALWAYS accidents there, too! And people need to SLOW down, everywhere! It's not a race, and you are really going to regret it if you hurt or kill someone!"

- "I wish they'd put a no right on red sign and enforce it on West St. next to Walgreens. The traffic heading from Ellington rarely look before turning there. I've had quite a few close calls driving and while legally crossing in the crosswalk as a pedestrian."

- "Not enough! Really REALLY need them in front of Burger King and McDonald's. There is at least one accident a month there and it needs to stop!"

- "There are plenty of lights. People just don't abide by them. Same with the stop signs."

- "Not enough! We need one on West and South"

- "Too many on Route 83."

- "The more important question is why do many of our major intersections not have crosswalks or walk lights?"

- "More cross walks! And sidewalks!"

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