Four-way stop given green light

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 24, 2008

The City of Vernon has reversed thrusters at a deadly intersection. Council decided Monday to install a four-way stop at 43rd Avenue and 20th Street despite originally backing a staff recommendation in May for wider lanes and a pedestrian-operated flashing light. “People want it strictly as a four-way stop,” said Beardsell of a petition that collected about 600 names. Howard Collins, a taxi driver, was killed in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection April 20. In May, city staff stated that a four-way stop is not warranted at the intersection based on traffic flow and they felt that $70,000 for wider lanes and a pedestrian-operated light would improve safety. However, that is not the view of some council members. “A four-way stop is a good, calming measure,” said Coun. Pat Cochrane. “It’s an effective way to get traffic to reduce speed and be aware of the intersection.” While there was unanimous support for the four-way stop, Coun. Buffy Baumbrough was reluctant to go against staff’s direction. “We heard from staff that a four-way stop would be less safe,” she said.

Staff has suggested that some people tend to run four-way stops because there aren’t other vehicles at the intersection. The petition was received by city hall May 27, but reconsideration of the intersection only arose after Beardsell raised the matter. “The annoying part was no one was going to say anything about it (petition),” he said. “It’s a big petition and it was just going to be buried.” Beardsell was pleased with the action of his colleagues Monday.“It acknowledges a petition that had a fantastic number of names on it,” he said.