Perhaps you could explain to me how a newcomer or visitor to Winona would know the rules of the road here, when they arrive from places where all intersections are controlled. I learned by observation, and conversation, and fortunately, did not cause an accident before I figured it out. Never having encountered an area, rural or town, where all intersections were not controlled, my assumption was, naturally for me, that if Ididn't see a stop sign, I had the right of way.
The topic began with a question about how well Winona was prepared to handle influxes of visitors to special events and festivals. Someone expressed the opinion that uncontrolled intersections area a hazard to those who are unfamiliar with Winona, and I agree. That hazard extends to all who share the roads, and sometimes property owners (remember my neighbor's fence). If Winona wants to be a welcoming place for visitors and newcomers, it needs to look at itself from the eyes of a newcomer or visitor. Winona has a lot to offer, but there is room for improvement, even for as nice a town as Winona.
Terri >From: "Glen Schumann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Winona Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: [Winona] Event planning for Winona, and what it means >Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 17:44:48 -0600 > > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of >Terri Hyle >Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 1:33 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: [Winona] Event planning for Winona, and what it means > > >[Winona Online Democracy] >Sure, I know the rule about uncontrolled intersections. But I also know as >a relative new-comer to Winona (I've lived here only 14 years) that many >people move to Winona or visit our city, coming from cities and towns where >all intersections were controlled. This creates a completely different set >of expectations and driving habits than slowing down at each intersection. >If you have lived your life in towns where all intersections are controlled, >you naturally believe as you travel down a street and see no stop sign or >light that you have the right of way and drive accordingly. I have seen >accidents outside my home (I live the second house from the corner) where >each driver went through the intersection, believing he/she had the right of >way. In two cases, vehicles ended up in the middle of the front yard of my >neighbor on the corner. A few more yards, and the vehicles would have taken >out part of the house. And it was just luck that no children were playing >on the sidewalk at the time. A neighbor who lives across the intersection >has lost part of their fence because of car accidents. Fortunately, the >intersection is now controlled, and I have not seen any accidents at the >intersection since the stop signs were installed. > >Traffic rules only work if everyone knows them and understands which rules >are in place. That may work well for people who grew up in Winona, but for >transplants, and visitors, it takes some getting used to. In the meantime, >unfortuantely, there are accidents. > > >GS opines: Drivers are required to know the rules and to apply them >correctly. That should include determining by observation whether an >intersection is controlled or uncontrolled. It is possible (at the vast >majority of intersections, I can't recall one where I could not) to see >whether or not there is a Yield or Stop sign on the intersecting street >prior to entering the intersection. If you enter an intersection without >having done that you are driving inattentively, IMNSHO. I would encourage >law enforcement to ticket both drivers for that offense in the situation you >described. That may not be possible, but I wish it were. > >Further, it would seem to me that one has a special obligation to be >attentive when driving in an area with which you are not thoroughly >familiar. > >Glen Schumann >Winona, MN > >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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