Better solutions exist to decrease pedestrian risk

TO THE EDITOR:

I read with interest the letter from Professor Proctor (""South Road bridge would increase pedestrian risk"" Jan. 14) regarding pedestrian risk — in particular the end quote, one of the most effective ways to slow vehicles is to have many pedestrians crossing a street at many locations.""

Is Professor Proctor's statement backed by any data?

As someone who sees ""many pedestrians"" struggle daily to cross 15-501 at ""many locations"" near bus stops and apartment complexes" and who read of the recent tragic death of an unfortunate pedestrian I wonder about the validity of the statement.

In addition" one of the more bizarre processes locally is to have a green ""go"" light to traffic at a right turn intersection whilst a white pedestrian ""walk"" light is also active at the same junction — to my mind a lethal recipe of car and man competing for the same space simultaneously.

In other countries it is obvious that two viable solutions are to either have very visible pedestrian-only crossings or to lift pedestrians safely above heavy traffic via overpass bridges" particularly over busy dual carriageways.


Peadar G. Noone M.D.
UNC-Chapel Hill
Department of Medicine