Halloween requires attention from drivers

October 29, 2007 12:36 am

HALLOWEEN typically ranks as one of the top 3 days of the year for pedestrian injuries. It makes sense. You've got excited children rushing from house to house in masks, dressed in dark clothing.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is trying to prevent accidents. So consider the following before you set out with your child Wednesday night, or if you plan to drive through a residential area at the witching hour. A lot of the advice is common sense, but bears repeating:

Be alert for children darting between cars, walking on roadways and curbs. Masks can hinder a child's peripheral vision. They may not see your car.

Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

Also, an update on the Coal Landing Road and U.S. 1 southbound signal question from last week. The Virginia Department of Transportation has sent a crew to look at this North Stafford signal. Even though drivers can't legally turn left on red here, VDOT may be able to cycle more cars through the intersection during times when turning is permissible. "They decided they are going to make some modifications to the phasing and timing and also to the detection system," said VDOT spokeswoman Tina Bundy. "We expect to see an improvement in 30 days."

Dear Kelly: The new third lane on westbound State Route 3 in front of Harrison Crossing is dangerous and confusing as marked for nearby residents and Riverbend High School traffic. There are numerous "Right Turn Only" signs in front of the shopping center, but no sign stating that the lane actually ends at the light at Spotswood Furnace Road, where many cars do indeed need to turn right. Just before the light are white pavement stripes showing shoppers it's the last chance to move over to continue west. They also seem to indicate that you should not be using that lane to turn right onto Spotswood Furnace until you get past them. Motorists cannot resist using that lane to pass others. Some jump back into the adjoining lane just before the light, but some actually turn right. If you wait to get over after the white lines, you need to look behind you for a 45-to-50-mph vehicle using the whole stretch. If you use the whole stretch, you must slow down when approaching to let anyone obeying the lines to come over. Many have found this out the hard way and have seen and had many near misses.

--Brenda Hatfield, Spotsylvania

VDOT's traffic engineers agree with you--some improvements could be made there to make traveling through the area safer, and more clear. They visited the site this week and have been in touch with the developer to make corrections at the intersection, said VDOT spokeswoman Tina Bundy.

Until then, your question should serve as a warning to other drivers.

Kelly Hannon is The Free Lance-Star's transportation reporter. If you have questions, send them to Getting There, c/o The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or fill out the Getting There form on fredericksburg.com.