Intersection may lose traffic light
By Dean Shipley
Staff Writer
It’s an intersection where an entire family died April 24, 2011, through no fault of its own.
Returning from a holiday family outing, Tom Bunsey, his wife and two sons were on state Route 38 southbound. As they crossed U.S. Route 40, an eastbound motorist ignored the red light at the traffic signal and slammed into the Bunsey’s Jeep Cherokee. All of them died. The driver of the 1987 Buick wagon which did the deed, was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Carol Daniels, principal of London Elementary School, was struck and seriously injured in an automobile accident there. As she crossed U.S. 40 and started to head west, she was struck in the eastbound lane.
Does a green light on state Route 38 give motorists a false sense of security when crossing U.S. 40?
Now there’s a study afoot at that intersection.
According to a statement from District 6 of ODOT, it is studying the signal at the intersection of U.S. 40 and state Route 38 “to see if it’s warranted.”
“There was an opportunity to upgrade the signal, but before ODOT upgrades it, we want to see if the signal’s warranted since traffic volumes are low,” the statement reads.
To inform motorists of the study, signs were installed at the intersection Thursday “to notify the public that the signal is under study for removal. The signs will remain up for 30 days while we gather motorist input. After 30 days, ODOT will take the next step, based on what we hear from the public.”
The office manager of a business at the intersection Aaron’s Truck and Equipment has seen the sign about the study and thinks the traffic signal should remain in place.
“I don’t agree the light should be removed,” Emily Sesnowich said.
She understands traffic is light at the intersection but “it’s hard to see traffic going east and west if you’re headed south.”
Caddy corner lies the Farm Science Review (FSR). Nate Douridas, farm manager, said he was “glad to see their posting well ahead of any removal.”
He said if the signal were removed it would have minimal impact on the review, specifically during its three-day show in September. He said the FSR hires the Ohio Highway Patrol and deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office for traffic control. It also receives a special permit to close down the state route during FSR.
“I know there have been accidents there in the past,” Douridas said. “ODOT is studying to see if there is a better solution to a true traffic light.”
Madison County Sheriff Jim Sabin said he informed attendees to the Local Emergency Planning Commission on Friday of the study.
“I would have some concerns having that light completely removed at this point,” Sabin said Friday. “Most crashes we’ve observed at that intersection are related to running the red light on both sides.”
He felt because of the truck traffic to Honda and related facilities north stop signs on state Route 38 would not be a good idea.
Central Townships Fire Chief Brian Bennington said he is “vehemently opposed” to removing the light.
“There are people pulling out in that intersection all of the time from 38,” he said. “Putting stop signs back up certainly is going to increase the risk.”
put in one of them there circles. works elsewhere. that’ll slow ‘em down and weake ‘em up. they put the lights up cause people ran the stop sign. And was more (faster) traffic back then. every crossroad on 38 is dangerous.
As a person who travels down 40 crossing 38, I believe the lights need to stay. You have alot of traffic in the morning and afternoon with kids going to school. And the week before and after the Farm Science, there is heavy traffic with vendors coming and going. Yes, during the farm there is patrol but not the other times. It also gets foggy in the area since there is nothing to break it up. Having a light does insure some safety. And I also believe that by removing that light will just allow the folks who already speed over the limit to drive even faster. The light needs to stay.
Sounds like a good place for the highway patrol to be lurking!
The light should be removed and replaced with a flashing yellow to traffic on US40 and flashing red to those on 38. If you force all traffic on 38 to stop and look before continuing on, accidents will decrease. I agree with the article, a green light gives drivers a false sense of security. I see people speed through as the light turns yellow almost daily without looking.
how does it give u false security? drivers need to pay attention to the changing of the light. I can now see school buses involved in wrecks. now get off cell phones and quit texting while driving
Not only should it stay it should have more visibility in the way of strobes or something along those lines. Where two state highways cross there should always be a traffic signal!
I feel the light should stay. I travel through that intersection almost daily to go to work. It gets really foggy in that particular area and I know where the intersection is by the glowing of the traffic light. That way I know to watch for traffic coming down 38. I think what is needed are the warning lights that the light is about to change because it does go a long time for the light to change from 38 due to less traffic then on 40.
I believe that prior to a traffic signal being installed a traffic study is conducted to show that one is needed. I make this point because although the traffic may not be as heavy on a regular basis in that area, it’s definitely more heavier than when the traffic signal was originally installed. There has not been any decrease in the use of that roadway, instead, the use of that roadway has increased since the installation of a traffic signal. For instance, two major changes have included the London High School being now located on State Route 38 and the Keny Blvd connector road which allows truck traffic easier access to the freeway from the local businesses, just to name a few. A traffic signal is much more visible than a stop sign in that area and I believe without a traffic signal the accidents in this area would increase significantly. Perhaps, it would be better if in addition to keeping the traffic signal that rumble strips be installed upon approaching the intersection, so drivers would be reminded of the danger that exists at this intersection. I would hope that everyone would contact ODOT and urge them to keep this traffic signal the death of the Bunsey Family should not be in vain, let’s keep their memory alive and keep the lights working!
it needs to stay up for sure!