Community Corner
Do You Think Schlapp and Route 126 is a Dangerous Intersection?
Readers look for answers to frequent crashes at Route 126 and Schlapp Road.
Early Monday morning, it happened again: A serious crash at Route 126 and Schlapp Road.
It's the same spot where three Plainfield-area teens lost their lives in 2012; in August, another crash at the same location injured five people — including two District 202 students — when a semi-truck collided with a car.
This time, two people were sent to Rush-Copley Hospital after an accident involving a car and a pick-up truck.
Readers were quick to note that crashes at the site seem to be all too frequent — but opinion was divided on how to make the intersection safer:
Dave G.: I understand that people have to exhibit responsibility while driving on these roads, but where have we failed as a community to address the obvious needs of better traffic control at this intersection - this is outrageous!
David T: here's the thing, I have pulled out at this intersection too many times to count and its not difficult. it really isn't. the intersection is fine. people should pay more attention.
Amy R: I agree that increased traffic control measures are not the answer. If it were, we would have lights all along 126, and every other street for that matter. People need to slow down & be patient. A minute of patience could prevent many accidents.
Daron S: On occation I go down Schlapp road and turn on to 126, and it sticks in my mind how many accidents happen there and I look around for what in particular is so precarious about this intersection and each time I can't really figure it out. Seems visibility is good, no major hills or bends in the roads. What's the complaint about the intersection?
Kyle K: I use this intersection everyday twice a day. I have no idea either on how there is such a bad history here. The intersection itself is easy. No blind spots, no trees or landscaping in the way, no blind spots from oncoming traffic. Completely straight forward. People keep saying this intersection needs to be corrected but there is really nothing to correct. Sadly, it's just the drivers poor judgement of driving basics of when it's safe to complete the turn when there is no oncoming traffic. This poor judgement has lead to many unfortunate accidents. I just can't get over the bad rep it's getting. It's really simple!!! Wait til there's a clear opening in oncoming traffic. People need to not be in a such a hurry and play chicken with oncoming traffic.
mike e: People drive faster than 55mph on Route 126 (sometimes much faster) and Schlapp Road doesn't have a lot of stop signs, so people drive too fast on Schlapp and don't pay attention when they do come upon a stop sign. It's also a straight road, unlike Grove Road, so there's nothing to 'naturally' slow you down prior to getting to the stop sign. There's also less traffic on Schlapp so there's almost never a backup of traffic that would make a person pay more attention. The police need to take radar along Rte 126 to keep the speeds down, but that would require some actual intelligence among the cops and they're too busy doing other things.
What do you think? Would traffic-control devices or additional police patrols decrease the number of serious crashes at the Intersection?
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