Signs Added at 5-Mile and Nicholson Road Intersection
The driver of a semi-truck died after trying to avoid crashing into a car at Nicholson and 5-Mile Road over Memorial Day. The village is now taking steps to make the intersection safer.
A fatal crash between a car and semi truck driver that happened over Memorial Day weekend has served as an impetus for the village to make the intersection safer.
At the Public Works Committee meeting last week, Village Board member Tom Weatherston asked to staff make the intersection of 5-Mile and Nicholson roads a four-way stop or to at least have signs under the existing stop signs stating that traffic on Nicholson Road does not stop.
Board member Jim Dobbs said there have been five accidents at this intersection in the past three years and said he felt a sign under the stop sign would work, according to minutes from the meeting.
Blaine Pfeffer, superintendent of the Highway Department, said signs stating that cross-traffic does not stop went up last week.
“Those went up an hour after the meeting,” he said. “I think it’ll help that intersection, but with human error, you’re not going to eliminate all of that.”
Several citizens had said the trees were also blocking the view at the intersection and those were cleared out, Pfeffer said.
mau
3:08 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
They need the solar flashing lights around the stop sign like the one at G & H. In fact they need them at the intersection of 4 mile and Nicholson too.
JQCitizen
3:30 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Agree!
john
8:27 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
they also need them at 6 mile and 31
Rachelle Zold
8:57 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
I agree!
Michael Michna
3:34 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
How about a four way or temporary lights at Hwy 31 and Five Mile? Traffic there is a mess with the Four mile closeur
mau
4:17 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
That intersection is terrible. Are they actually working on the tracks at 4 Mile?
Rachelle Zold
1:06 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
I have to agree with you^! We need a signs or something at that intersection. We will continue to have major accidents there, because people get very impatient waiting to cross.
Denise Lockwood
11:05 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Yep.. they are working on the tracks at 4 mile.
Laurie Giese
7:46 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
I use 5 Mile and Nicholson a lot and never thought it to be dangerous. Drivers need to pay more attention to the road and less to cell phones and texting.
Rachelle Zold
1:07 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Yes, they need to stay off the stupid phones. I see to many people not paying attention because they're texting! I wish the police busted more people for that.
Rachelle Zold
8:57 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
How about 5 Mile and HWY 31??? That intersection could use a 4 way stop.
Glenn Heveran
9:25 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
The intersections along Hwy 38 and Nicholson have many documented accidents. That does not include the near-misses that I often witness. For some reason, people just do not see or pay attention to the attachment under the stop sign that says that cross traffic does not stop. I see people that are at the east/west stop signs begin to start driving and realize at the last minute the north/south traffic is not stopping. That is when people swerve to avoid each other and it becomes dangerous. I would also like to see a better solution, other than the "cross traffic does not stop" disclaimer.
Frances Martin
9:52 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
I live just west of 31 on 5 Mile. Often, drivers making left turns from (turning south from the east side of 5 Mile onto 31) either hesitate too long, or else turn before cars headed straight across (east-west )on 5 Mile crossing 31. I see a lot of drivers frustrated because people don't seem clear on who has the right of way(I think it's the ones crossing straight on 5 Mile across 31). Possibly a sign saying "Cross traffic has the right of way"? It's an issue caused by the detours--was never a problem before then.
Tuco
10:08 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
The flashing solar STOP signs would be a nice improvement. What is the cost?
They may save a life so the cost is negligible is the standard argument, but realistically what is the $$ amount needed?
I too would like to see a temporary 4-way STOP at 5mile & 31. I can't believe the "powers that be" have not considered it. Maybe it has to do with 31 being a state highway. Tough cookies. Just do it! Save a life? See argument above!
Rachelle Zold
1:09 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Yes, Caledonia should just put 4 way stop signs will the state even notice?
Johnny Blade
12:56 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
This is ridiculous, does anyone know how to drive? There is a clear view of the intersection ..Why dont we put stop signs at every intersections??
Caledonia Retiree
7:16 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
I cringe every time I drive through the hwy 38 & 4 mile intersection because you just never know when a car is going to go through the stop sign. In the case of the accident at 5 mile and Nicholson, the idiot DID stop and then just went on without noting the huge semi bearing down on the intersection. I doubt a flashing stop sign or much of anything else would have prevented this accident.
mau
9:39 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
For anyone unfamiliar with 4 and 5 mile road, a flashing light would definitely wake them up. Whether they stay awake is another matter. There is a warning sign on 4 Mile Road that there is a stop at Nicholson. I don't think people read it or are driving too fast to notice it. And there are just too many people in a big hurry. Typically when approaching these intersections I am going at a snails pace and watching whatever vehicles may be at the stop. I have seen drivers look right at me and drive out in front of me. That hill just south of 4 Mile on Nicholson should also be shaved down. The speed limit is 50mph and if anyone is coming from the south they will not see someone going through the intersection until they crest the hill.
Scott
4:10 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Hint: Avoid 5 mile and 31 at rush hour.. Take the next street north, (Matthew Dr.) You can avoid the mess at 32 and 31.
Runninghot88
8:04 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Im sorry but you cant fix stupidity. There are alot of stupid people out there driving a vehicle that can wreck havoc on unsuspecting drivers. Most people do not drive defensively and are not aware of their surroundings. The person who posted that there should be a 4-way stop is one of those stupid drivers. Are you kidding me putting a 4-way stop on a major highway that's speed limit is 50 mph is just asking for a lot more trouble then there is now. Hwy 31 just south of 4-mile road turns into a 4-lane highway. How would you like to be sitting at the porposed 4-way stop and then suddenly get rear-ended by a driver going 50 mph. The intersection at 5 mile road and Nicholson does allow drivers stopped at the stop sign to have a clear view of on-coming traffic. Im sorry it is sad that there are so many accidents but as I said you cant fix stupidity with signs. The flashing lights might work because people notice bright lights flashing (just like oh shiney), but the only way to fix the intersections is to take a lot of licenses away from people.