The Observation Deck

If I can, I will avoid Detroit, there is so much congestion, traffic, pedestrians, the buses, an accident waiting to happen. I'd like to stop by Souper Market, can't find parking.

I know I've seen many other cities that have "Don't Block the Box" signs at busy and congested intersections. In my experience drivers in those cities seem to respect that, and don't try to creep up to make the light when clearly the traffic in front of them is not moving along. I also don't know if "Don't Block the Box" is a traffic law that can be enforced in these other cities, or if it's just a common sense suggestion that most drivers respect.

In regards to the intersection of Warren and Detroit, it seems to me this is an issue of driver behavior and lack of common sense. It's really bad when one is driving east on Detroit and goes in the left turn lane to head north on Warren. Multiple dozens of times I've been prevented from making that left turn once I've got the left turn only green light, because a driver heading west on Detroit, or taking a left on to Detroit from Warren northbound, has crept up and tried to make the light and been caught. It's gridlock.

So what's the solution? Do we lobby the City to study the traffic patterns there? When I used to live on Warren 4 houses north of the First Federal parking lot, I called the City probably 8 times to complain about the traffic patterns. It used to get so bad that up to 25 cars would be backed up north down Warren (I counted the cars). I was trapped in my drive dozens of times waiting to get out. No one from the City ever returned my calls about this, or the gridlock at the intersection.

Do we ask the City to install "Don't Block the Box" signs at the intersection? Will that be an enforceable traffic law?

What do you all think?

Matt

Matthew Charboneau wrote:I know I've seen many other cities that have "Don't Block the Box" signs at busy and congested intersections. In my experience drivers in those cities seem to respect that, and don't try to creep up to make the light when clearly the traffic in front of them is not moving along. I also don't know if "Don't Block the Box" is a traffic law that can be enforced in these other cities, or if it's just a common sense suggestion that most drivers respect.

In regards to the intersection of Warren and Detroit, it seems to me this is an issue of driver behavior and lack of common sense. It's really bad when one is driving east on Detroit and goes in the left turn lane to head north on Warren. Multiple dozens of times I've been prevented from making that left turn once I've got the left turn only green light, because a driver heading west on Detroit, or taking a left on to Detroit from Warren northbound, has crept up and tried to make the light and been caught. It's gridlock.

So what's the solution? Do we lobby the City to study the traffic patterns there? When I used to live on Warren 4 houses north of the First Federal parking lot, I called the City probably 8 times to complain about the traffic patterns. It used to get so bad that up to 25 cars would be backed up north down Warren (I counted the cars). I was trapped in my drive dozens of times waiting to get out. No one from the City ever returned my calls about this, or the gridlock at the intersection.

Do we ask the City to install "Don't Block the Box" signs at the intersection? Will that be an enforceable traffic law?

What do you all think?

Matt

I think it is a good idea,I have seen some people stay out of the box, I always do. It used to be no left turn going North on Warren and East on Detroit, I was surprised when it changed.

It isn't really the drivers' fault. They get stuck because the light at Cook changes.

The light on Detroit at Cook is the problem. It needs to be a REAL long green on Detroit - to accommodate Detroit westbound, Warren northbound/turn west, Warren southbound/turn west.
There is only room for about 8 cars between Cook and Warren.
Then there's the next light on Detroit at Marc's, which needs to be synch'ed with Warren.

I remember too, the X crosswalk worked great, it was the only one in Ohio.

The adjoining intersections of Detroit & Warren Road, traffic should be diverted off Detroit Rd. From east, a block or two before Warren, and west, a block or so after Berger King. just trollies?, that area could be the most popular gathering spot, making it a pedestrian friendly, biking, dog walking, families, kids, fun, Downtown Lakewood Center. summers would be great, clowns, live music, balloons, bubbles, food, musicians, once a month, April thru September. a happening... your thoughts? I know it is not the answer, but what can make it better?, it's too much as it is..

I hate waiting to cross the street, it's not dignified waiting for the cars to pass, mostly in the freezing winter, the red light, I feel like an idiot, drivers looking at me, thinking to themselves, " glad I'm not him", with everyone walking, no one will notice me. any thoughts?

jackie f taylor wrote:I hate waiting to cross the street, it's not dignified waiting for the cars to pass, mostly in the freezing winter, the red light, I feel like an idiot, drivers looking at me, thinking to themselves, " glad I'm not him", with everyone walking, no one will notice me. any thoughts?

Funny, that's what I think about the cars when I'm walking, waiting to cross the road.