Intersections & Driveways
According to the Advocate, the CT Senate has passed a bill enabling municipalities to create laws that fine drivers for blocking intersections. Those of you familiar with NYC’s “Don’t Block The Box” campaign will recognize what the bill is intending, better traffic flow. The original bill was targeted at municipalities over 50,000 residents, but some Senate legislators wanted to expand the bill to cover all towns and municipalities. That apparently was a sticking point.
The legislature, by passing the bill for all, is merely enabling the local municipalities to enact laws with fines. They wouldn’t have to enact a law if they didn’t want to, which is pretty much where things are at now. An existing state law allows municipalities to create the law but not to attach a fine to it. This bill would enable the fining aspect.
Toni Boucher -R Wilton, support the bill and wants it applied to smaller towns like Wilton. Wilton along route 7 provides ample evidence that blocked intersections cause traffic even before all the construction added to the congestion. She and Senator Kevin Witkos, R-Canton, proposed the amendment to include all towns. The sponsor of the bill Senator Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, said previous versions of the bill were defeated by the House because it included smaller towns and municipalities.
Norwalk has some prime areas for “don’t block the box” fines. Exit 14 southbound onto route 1 is a great candidate. Grist Mill onto route 7, off of route 7 and Glover ave is in need. Exit 16 either way onto East Ave. East Ave. south of exit 16, any point along the way.
Although I’m not a fan of big brother technology, I think the only way that “don’t block the box” fines work, is with the enforcement coming from cameras that take pictures of cars that violate the law by being in an intersection during a red light. Otherwise, police officers would have to observe and ticket the offenders, which means somewhere in the mass of congestion that violating car would have to be pulled over, causing even more congestion.
As it is police don’t enforce all the moving violation laws we have currently. I’m annoyed, still, that there’s a law on the books that will fine me for driving while talking on a cell phone, but the idiot driver who is weaving from lane to lane–just because they are a crappy driver– won’t get pulled over.
Another peeve of mine, is when cars block off driveways when traffic gets gnarly. Some driveways attempt to solve the problem by posting signs that say don’t block the driveway. Most motorists ignore them. A little common courtesy would go a long way to making driving less hazardous.
source: Advocate, Senate approves ‘block the box’ bill, by Brian Lockhart, 5/24/09
