Patch Readers Sound Off on Stop Signs in Hackettstown

Hackettstown, 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 Hackettstown 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 Hackettstown better than its residents. Here’s what Patch readers shared with us about their neighborhood’s intersections:

• "I believe there is a stop sign at every intersection in Hackettstown. The problem is, drivers don't pay attention to them, especially at the intersection of Washington St. and Grand Ave."
• "Almost everyone treats a stop sign like a loosely observed yield anyway."
• "Several times, when actually stopping at a stop sign, the guy behind me has swerved to either avoid hitting me or to just go around me. More stop signs will just increase my chances of getting rear-ended."
• "Speed humps on top of Barkers Mill near Mt. Bethel"

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