To the Editor:
I noticed last week that the pylons placed at crosswalks advising motorists, in eye-catching yellow, to yield to pedestrians have reappeared. They first materialized during last fall’s Pumpkinfest. I chose not to complain at the time because I assumed they would disappear with the end of the fest or else be swept into the Damariscotta River by snowplows. I believe the first assumption was correct.
Why do I complain? Firstly, they are completely unnecessary. It has been my experience that cars always stop for pedestrians in Damariscotta, even for the scofflaws who scurry across between crosswalks. Do they improve traffic flow? Not at all; mere congestion will slow things down with or without these advisories.
More importantly, I feel they are dangerous, especially those placed in the downtown where, at crosswalks, the sidewalks bulge into the street considerably reducing its width.
As a bicyclist I feel this considerably enhances my danger, putting an obstacle in the middle of an already narrow and busy thoroughfare. Let’s compromise. I will accept these noisome signs at the start of downtown, opposite Glidden Street in Newcastle or by the Information Building opposite the Baptist church; the roadway there is wide enough. Remove the downtown pylons, perhaps substituting some nice, fresh, reflective paint to upgrade what is almost worn away at the crosswalks there.
