Some months ago I wrote to your paper mindful of your motto as the “Community Watchdog”. At that time, and even more now, I and citizens of Carefree were concerned about protection of walkers crossing at the intersection of Tom Darlington and the road into several developments, including Montacino and Ridgeview Estates, and the busy “historic Spanish Village” across the street. Many of us try to use the crossing to go to the post office or Bashas and continuously are subjected to drivers ignoring the signals, rushing through.
Several of us had also attended meetings with Mayor Peterson and staff and were told they were “studying” the problem, which evidently means ignore it. In addition, we have written to the Mayor.
With recent near deaths, the problems have become even more acute. Last week, neighbors of Ridgeview were hit returning from the art show across the street. While the crossing lights were flashing, a motorist struck two people. The week before, another resident closely escaped injury by a driver.
While the crosswalk is marked and does have on-demand lights, it is at the crest of Tom Darlington and the lights are obscured by trees. Furthermore, a small sign northbound advising of the walk has been bent double for weeks, and has now been run over. With no other traffic control for over a mile at Carefree Hwy, southbound drivers tend to accelerate, with drivers both directions gleefully ignoring the flashing lights. Compounding the problem, the officers of the Sheriff’s Department are rarely in evidence.
In response to letters from concerned citizens and voters, the town now pleads poverty citing three other crosswalks in the area. These, however, are manifestly different and do not obscure notice the town has of the danger at the unique walk, by way of complaints and now accidents.
Though correction of the issue will undoubtedly cost money, the town has a duty to its citizens and those frequenting oft occurring events, and has had ample opportunity to “study” the problem as well as to rectify it. If the Mayor and town choose to continue to “study” the problem, they risk not only the lives but also the expense of personal-injury and wrongful-death suits. And now, with more than ample notice the town may well be liable to punitive damages for ignoring the substantial risk of significant injury. One way or another, the town will pay the price, either in correcting the problem or paying higher insurance premiums. Please join me in telling Mayor Peterson and the town that they can no longer ignore this clear and present danger.
Michael W. Carnahan
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