Patch Readers Sound Off on Stop Signs in Bowie

BOWIE, MD--If you’ve noticed an intersection in your neighborhood that could use a stop sign, you’re not alone.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that one-third of all intersection crashes in the United States occur at crossings controlled by stop signs. While they aren’t a perfect solution to dangerous intersections, studies have shown that installing all-way signs can reduce accidents by 40 to 60 percent.

When we asked Patch Readers in Bowie where they wanted to see a stop sign, some asked for stoplights while others just requested that drivers stop at the signs that are already in place. That’s not too much to ask according to a report from the Federal Highway Administration that showed the simple, and cheap, addition of “Stop Ahead” wording on roadways reduced accidents at controlled intersections by 15 percent.

We realize that no one knows the roads in Bowie better than its residents. Here’s what Patch Readers shared with us about their neighborhood’s intersections:

• "Bel Air and Kenhill Dr. During rush hour making a left from Kenhill is a pain and despite the neighborhood 25 mph speed limit, Bel Air trends to be a drag strip so you can't risk pulling out."
• "Fairwood and Church Road. Actually a light would be better. Making a left is very dangerous since Church Road is a speedway in that area."
• "I don't know. But Moylan and 450 and Millstream and 450 need red light cameras. Someone is going to get killed with all the red light running."
• "I would argue for REMOVAL of the stop signs on Brunswick Ln. (20715), which are completely useless IMO."
• "Perhaps drivers in Bowie need more lessons on what to actually do at stop signs and traffic lights?"
• "My neighborhood needs speed bumps bad but my HOA doesn't want to cooperate"
• "Peachwalker and mt oak."

Is there a dangerous intersection on your block that didn’t make the list? Share it with us in the comments below or on our Bowie Patch Facebook page.