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John Cable
Hagerstown
Something needs to be done at Boonsboro Mountain Road
To the editor:
I live in Boonsboro and work in Frederick, Md. My daily commute home involves a few back Frederick County roads to U.S. 40. From U.S. 40, I turn left onto Boonsboro Mountain Road. Therein lies one huge problem. Turning left onto Boonsboro Mountain Road is dangerous. I put on my turn signal far before the bridge, start slowing down early, and constantly check my rearview mirror. If I have to stop and yield to oncoming traffic, there is a good chance that I will be hit from behind.
One day, I had to stop to yield to traffic. The car behind me also stopped, and she was badly hit. Last week I was almost hit by two vehicles coming around the bend. At the very last second each swerved onto the right shoulder. Neither applied their brakes to slow down. On my way home on Friday, July 8, traffic backed up and slowed near the dreaded turn, and I knew what had happened. I then saw the fire department, the police and the accident.
I read What’s Wrong with this Picture? posted May 22, 2011, and I must say that I am extremely disappointed with the State Highway Administration’s view of the problem. Boonsboro Mountain Road is frequented by many, as it is a route to Boonsboro, which is continually growing. I strongly disagree with the notion that there is “good enough” sight distance. In a perfect world, you could say that there is — for people who are aware of the turn, people who are abiding by the speed limit, and people who are actually paying attention. I guarantee that 95 percent of people traveling on U.S. 40 are not abiding by the speed limit, and no one should even be traveling the speed limit (50 mph) around that bend. Something needs to be done: A sign, a left-turn lane, flashing lights, reduced speed limit, construction to make a passing lane on the right (not the shoulder). Something.
The left turn onto Boonsboro Mountain Road is dangerous, and turning vehicles are at a huge risk. Also, in response to the practicality of making a left turn lane — I’ve seen a few slow moving vehicles traveling east on U.S. 40, and I highly doubt that one would back up traffic to the point of concern as they crested the top of the hill with a shorter climbing lane (or without one). I’d much rather be able to turn safely without worrying about being crushed from behind or pushed into oncoming traffic.
Rebecca Williams
Boonsboro
Hagerstown
Something needs to be done at Boonsboro Mountain Road
To the editor:
I live in Boonsboro and work in Frederick, Md. My daily commute home involves a few back Frederick County roads to U.S. 40. From U.S. 40, I turn left onto Boonsboro Mountain Road. Therein lies one huge problem. Turning left onto Boonsboro Mountain Road is dangerous. I put on my turn signal far before the bridge, start slowing down early, and constantly check my rearview mirror. If I have to stop and yield to oncoming traffic, there is a good chance that I will be hit from behind.
One day, I had to stop to yield to traffic. The car behind me also stopped, and she was badly hit. Last week I was almost hit by two vehicles coming around the bend. At the very last second each swerved onto the right shoulder. Neither applied their brakes to slow down. On my way home on Friday, July 8, traffic backed up and slowed near the dreaded turn, and I knew what had happened. I then saw the fire department, the police and the accident.
I read What’s Wrong with this Picture? posted May 22, 2011, and I must say that I am extremely disappointed with the State Highway Administration’s view of the problem. Boonsboro Mountain Road is frequented by many, as it is a route to Boonsboro, which is continually growing. I strongly disagree with the notion that there is “good enough” sight distance. In a perfect world, you could say that there is — for people who are aware of the turn, people who are abiding by the speed limit, and people who are actually paying attention. I guarantee that 95 percent of people traveling on U.S. 40 are not abiding by the speed limit, and no one should even be traveling the speed limit (50 mph) around that bend. Something needs to be done: A sign, a left-turn lane, flashing lights, reduced speed limit, construction to make a passing lane on the right (not the shoulder). Something.
The left turn onto Boonsboro Mountain Road is dangerous, and turning vehicles are at a huge risk. Also, in response to the practicality of making a left turn lane — I’ve seen a few slow moving vehicles traveling east on U.S. 40, and I highly doubt that one would back up traffic to the point of concern as they crested the top of the hill with a shorter climbing lane (or without one). I’d much rather be able to turn safely without worrying about being crushed from behind or pushed into oncoming traffic.
Rebecca Williams
Boonsboro
