Patch Readers Sound Off on Stop Signs in Chatham

Chatham, NJ - If you’ve noticed an intersection in your neighborhood that could use a stop sign, you’re not alone.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that one-third of all intersection crashes in the United States occur at crossings controlled by stop signs. While they aren’t a perfect solution to dangerous intersections, studies have shown that installing all-way signs can reduce accidents by 40 to 60 percent.

When we asked Patch readers in Chatham where they wanted to see a stop sign, some asked for stoplights while others just requested that drivers stop at the signs that are already in place. That’s not too much to ask according to a report from the Federal Highway Administration that showed the simple, and cheap, addition of “Stop Ahead” wording on roadways reduced accidents at controlled intersections by 15 percent.

We realize that no one knows the roads in Chatham better than its residents. Here’s what Patch readers shared with us about their neighborhood’s intersections:

• "Dunbar St. and Vincent St. Children cross Dunbar St. twice each day for school. Cars use Dunbar as a cut-through street and drive fast."
• "Stop light on Weston and Coleman"
• "Weston and South Passaic needs a light! Also, Center and Weston could use a crossing guard."
• "A stop light is need at Lafayette Ave. and Chatham St."

Is there a dangerous intersection on your block that didn’t make the list? Share it with us on our Chatham Patch Facebook page or in the comments below.