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Editor’s Note: The following is a letter submitted to the Columbiana County commissioners and state Rep. Monica Robb-Blasdel.
For years I have lived at the four-way intersection of state Route 344 and Cunningham Road in Perry Township. Sitting at the table, I see accidents all the time.
A recent head-on, car versus semi disaster violently claimed the life of a woman who doesn't seem to have seen the approaching semi.
There is something about the visibility of this intersection that renders it so frequently dangerous. Let's prevent future deaths, injuries, screaming, smashed vehicles, lawsuits, first-responder calls -- even a car hanging from a tree. I urge you to take action.
A four-way stop is not the answer, because it is too hard for heavy vehicles traveling east downhill to stop. Those heavy vehicles need to build momentum to climb that hill, especially in winter. It makes sense that 344 should allow continuous travel in both directions.
A blinking yellow light stands as the superior solution. Blinking lights pique drivers' attention. Slowing down is a natural reaction. Commissioners could add blinking stop signs for drivers on Cunningham.
This is a modest request, with minor expense. Doing nothing is not justified, in light of all the suffering caused by a known visibility issue.
Robert Peters and Melody Gustafson
Salem