Editor, Times-Union: I have Mr. Brad Steckler of INDOT copied here also as he needs to see this. A few years ago I wrote into you about the dangers of having more traffic at U.S. 30 and Silveus Crossing due to the new Ivy Tech, the new Madison Elementary School and the growing business in the area. I warned about a possible increase in accidents at that intersection if something was done to make it safer. So now less than 11 days into the new “Protected/Permissive Flashing Yellow” left-turn traffic lights, there was a horrible accident at noon time at this intersection. How can anyone plan this “improvement” (as stated in an April 1 local news article) and hope it is to increase safety at the busiest intersections across Warsaw on U.S. 30 or for that point anywhere across Indiana? In fact, it has done just the opposite. The flashing yellow light is a death sentence of sorts. If you work in this area you will see it’s not just the large trucks running red lights, it is anyone in a hurry that has no respect for danger or human life, or is simply too busy texting or talking on a cell phone. The running of the red lights will never stop so face that fact. It will never stop! Now, the flashing-to-solid yellow lights have invited drivers to pull right in front of vehicles that have no intentions of stopping. For an instant, everyone heading east or west on U.S. 30 is looking at solid yellow light. Who gets to yield and proceed through the intersection? So what could be safer at this point? 1. East-west left turn lanes go on green arrow. 2. East-west left turn lanes yield on yellow and then stop on red. 3. East-west straight-through lanes go on green light. 4. East-west straight-through lanes yield on yellow and then stop on red. 5. North-south left turn lanes go on green arrow. 6. North-south left turn lanes yield on yellow and then stop on red. 7. North-south straight through lanes go on green light. 8. North-south straight through lanes yield on yellow and then stop on red. Repeat the sequence. Will this sequence speed things up? More than likely not. But by logic it should slow down the processions to the cemetery. Now put yourself in the place of the truck driver. They have nine traffic lights to deal with coming through Warsaw. There is one lane designated to be the truck lane, which often times isn't followed. Do some of the truck drivers lose patience here? Of course. Now I'm not giving them or anyone a free pass to go blowing through red lights, but consider the frustration they must got through spending 15 to 20 minutes traveling through Warsaw. Maybe it's time to seriously consider a bypass such that Kokomo has now and has elevated the truck and through traffic from the numerous traffic lights. Police presence and large fines is going to be the only true answer to make it safe here. Be tough, very tough on any violators and the word will get around to slow down and pay attention while traveling through Warsaw. Jim Rowe Warsaw, via email
