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Does anyone feel like it's dangerous crossing Main street at Edmond's Elementary? Yesterday, I was crossing alone near the center of Main street (and flashing light was on) and a car passed through the crosswalk two feet in front of me. This morning I crossed with my wife and two kids and again two cars went through the crosswalk after we were already on the road (with flashing light on.) And once the cars stopped in both directions?--a car drove around the stopped car next to the curb! I looked back from Edmund's front door and saw a woman with a stroller who had trouble crossing (with flashing light on)--she had to wait for at least three-four cars to zoom past before anyone would stop and let her cross! At any time I feel like if I wasn't holding my five year olds hand and she bolted across the road she would get hit! I shouldn't need to have this fear at a crosswalk, especially right in front of a school.

OK, what can be done? First, I think more people would respect a red light (like top of Church street.) I don't know why the city has installed all of these flashing yellow lights at various crosswalks around the city because people generally think of a yellow light (flashing or not) as "as long as I speed through this before it turns red, I'm legal." So, if the state law is that people MUST stop at a crosswalk while people are present than why not have a red light? Yellow means caution. Red means STOP.

If there is a good reason why the city only thinks the light at the top of Church st. deserves a red light, then at least we could have a sign in the middle of the street saying "state law--stop for pedestrians in crosswalk" as I've seen in Montpelier.

On top of having a red light and a sign in the middle, I really think this spot deserves a crossing guard before and after school. More kids and parents cross here than at many other places with crossing guards, such as at Willard/Main or Maple/Willard.

Sadly, though I think the above strategies might help, we'll just have to hold our kids hands and watch and wait to cross safe. If you also are fed up with almost getting run over and want a change, join me in writing Department of Public Works and your city councilor. Thanks
Greg