ROCHESTER N.Y. – Experts say pedestrians and bicyclists risk their lives crossing the intersection at Lake Avenue & Smith Street.
Devon Richardson of Rochester says he rides his bike through the intersection daily.
“I’m always on edge and I’m always looking both ways. I’ve almost got hit a couple of times, coming up and down this street,” Richardson said.
DeVoreau Shaw said he knows to be cautious but drivers should be as well. “It’s legal to make a left hand turn but still, you have to look both ways and have common courtesy for the people going through traffic and things of that nature."
According to study information released by Martin, Harding & Mazzotti LLP, there have been over 20,000 accidents reported at intersections between 2015 and 2016 in Monroe County.
Top four in Rochester:
- Lexington Avenue & Mount Read Boulevard
- Lake Avenue & Driving Park
- Lake Avenue & Smith Street
- Dewey Avenue & Ridge Road West
Janet Ellson, a Rochester native, said when seeing reckless drivers, “They’ll turn on red and you don’t have an arrow — they’re beeping for the guy to turn. That’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Tom LaBue, owner of the Flat Iron Cafe off Lake Avenue, says the intersection is like “The game of Frogger; you don’t know if you’re going to make it across the highway without getting flattened.” After seeing multiple accidents over the last two weeks, something needs to be done.
“Waist-high steel barriers, maybe they could protect some of those pedestrians in traffic on these corners,” said LaBue.
The study includes Driver Safety Tips:
- Buckle up
- Observe the speed limits
- Do not drink and drive
- Be well rested and alert and give your full attention to the road
- Do not text and drive or use your phone at any time
- Use caution in work zones
- Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road
- Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night
- Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather
- Do not let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low
- If you have car trouble, pull off to the side of the highway as far as possible