A local business manager says the Highway 17 approaches to the roundabout on River Road need some work, after a recent collision within the traffic circle.
One of her employees was broadsided in his vehicle, while in the circle in mid-September. The employee and his wife were injured and cannot return to work for the time being.
“Every day, those of us that work on the last stretch of River Road before Highway 17 intersects it in two, have our lives and livelihoods at risk going into and out of that roundabout, on to what is now referred to as Frontage Road,” says Kelly Holbrook. “The new roundabout design is problematic, to say the least.”
Her business, Blue Water Systems, is located close to the roundabout, on River Road.
“People that deliver to our business and the other businesses on that section of road, take the risk too. Driving is inherently dangerous but this is more than an accident waiting to happen. It already has. It doesn't have to be this dangerous.”
Holbrook says that vehicles come speeding off Highway 17 and rarely slow down for the traffic circle.
She said that speeding is the result of poor signage and an exit lane that is too short, not giving motorists’ time to react and to reduce speed. As well, another road also feeds into the roundabout, next to the Highway 17 exit, adding to congestion.
Instead, Holbrook says that the green directional signs that are posted above Highway 17, should indicate that a roundabout is ahead at the exit. The current sign just shows a right-hand turn, he said.
Large lettering on the road surface also could tell motorists to “Slow down, Roundabout Ahead.” In addition, rumble strips installed just before the roundabout, could also warn motorists.
In addition to better signs, she also wants Delta Police to issue some tickets for those going too fast.
