Obey Signs or Risk a Big Fine, Hellertown Driver Says [Letter]

To the editor:

I live on Kichline Avenue and have been an advocate for the safety of our residents as we deal with this construction mess. Because of the construction I am forced to leave 1 1/2 hours early for work each day. This morning I needed gas and I turned at the road block signs at Hess and Oak, then pulled right into the gas station parking lot. I saw the (police) officer sitting in the parking lot, but did not feel I was breaking the law. Obviously, I am wrong. I received a ticket for driving the wrong way for 5 feet that costs me $112.00! I have left many comments on the Patch about the traffic patterns and should not have disobeyed the signs. However, while sitting in the parking lot for 20 minutes while the officer wrote my ticket, one car did the same thing I did, three went left onto 412 and another went through the same sign to the garage across the street. Why can't the sign be moved so we can enter the has station parking lot, or the mechanic's? There is a stop sign that is there, which is also confusing to those leaving the gas station onto oak. The signs are backwards. ... Next time I'll need to buy my gas out of town. Please let the residents know that the police are patrolling, as I was told by the officer, because of us all complaining. I am frustrated but know (what) I did (was) wrong.

Tammy Gonzalez

Hellertown