Published: August 27, 2008 12:52 pm            

Letter to the Editor for August 27, 2008

Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to the Ada city council: The front page photo in Wednesday’s edition, 7-23-08, of the AEN lends credence to that well worn axiom that a picture is worth a thousand words. The headline over the photo speaks volumes in two words “Crazy Corner.” Though the multi-vehicular accident described in the photo did not appear to involve the center of the intersection at Mississippi and Arlington, the fact remains that the public’s disparaging nickname “Crazy Corner” impugned to this intersection begs the question - Why is this major intersection which is doubtless the most confusing and potentially hazardous in the city of Ada not controlled by an automated electronic traffic sequencing system, i.e. a mindlessly impartial traffic light system using green directional arrows and traffic detection devices where appropriate?

The hazard factor associated with this intersection is the result of allowing traffic movements through a busy geometrically unique 4-way stop intersection with a limited choice of traffic movement options to be entirely controlled and sequenced by a known inconsistent and often unsafe system, the driver.

The non-orthogonal geometric configuration of the Crazy Corner intersection and its unique matrix of traffic movement options is obviously the result of an active train track angling through or very nearly through the center of the intersection. The history and thus the basis for the location and layout of this peculiar intersection is beyond the scope of this letter.

Presumably the lack of a traffic light at Crazy Corner is the result of default reasoning that the driver is better suited to control the traffic flow sequence through this intersection with the only downside being the usual selfish temptation to cut the other guy off.

Such reasoning was valid during an earlier period but nothing could be further from the truth today except the ever present temptation to cut the other guy off which if anything has only worsened with time.

If indeed the record shows a low incidence of traffic mishaps at the Crazy Corner intersection thus rendering my thesis to some extent moot, I must contend that such a record is testimony supportive of the need for defensive driving at this intersection whence I have often had to hit the brakes to avoid a collision. I dare say there are some, possibly many, that go out of their way to avoid Crazy Corner - something I have been known to do on occasion myself. For instance entering the city from the south and returning has for some made Stadium Drive and Highland Ave a default bypass that joins Arlington well to the east of Crazy Corner at an intersection served by a traffic light.

Of immediate concern is the lack of any evidence of a solid white lane dividing line needed to separate merging Mississippi traffic from eastbound Arlington traffic at the Crazy Corner intersection. If not a contributing cause of the multi-vehicular accident referenced at the beginning of this letter, it certainly could be in the future.

I urge the city to install a traffic light system equipped with green directional arrows and traffic detection devices as appropriate at the intersection of Arlington and Mississippi to ensure the safe flow of traffic, alleviate confusion and misdirection and relieve the motivation to use alternate routing for avoidance. Additionally, directional signs should be placed at appropriate locations in and around the intersection to advise motorists who wish to utilize those traffic movement options unavailable at the center of the intersection.

With these items accom-plished, I predict that in time the disparaging nickname “Crazy Corner” and its negative connotation for the city of Ada will fade into history.



Paul D. Young

Pontotoc County

        

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