Patch Readers Sound Off on Stop Signs in Matawan

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

• "Main St. near Stewart's could use a stop sign to allow people to cross from the Henry Hudson Trail."
• "Not sure about the stop sign, but the intersection of Middlesex Rd. and Highway 34 needs to be a right-turn-only lane heading north. The amount of road rage and horns every day is mind-blowing."
• "Not a stop sign. The light at 516 and 34 needs a left-turn arrow."
• "Buttonwood needs a light. Too much traffic exiting there after imbibing all evening!"
• "I'm not sure about stop signs, but it would be great if the "no turn on red" signs were taken from the lighted entries to the highway. There's absolutely no reason I can't make a right turn when there's no traffic."
• "Wilson Ave. at Texas Rd. should be a three-way stop!"
• "Not a stop sign, but something needs to be done by the parkway entrances at 120. Nobody lets you out. It's like playing Frogger!"
• "Amboy Rd. and Rte. 34. You can never make the left to get onto 34."

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