Still no need for light at corner of Princeton Avenue

OK, before the letters come in about the accident on the corner of Brushy Neck Drive and Princeton Avenue, I would like to say there still is no need for a traffic light here. I’ll admit that the sun is bright on Princeton Avenue in the mornings, which led to this accident. The sun shines the same way on all roads running east to west. Are we going to install lights on all of these roads? I think not. If you can’t see because of the sun, you don’t just pull out anyway. This accident was caused by poor driver judgment. Again, not a reason for installing a light. Also, if the sun is that bright, you would have a hard time seeing the traffic light on Princeton Avenue, leading to other accidents. This includes drivers running the light because they couldn’t see it or drivers rear-ending someone they didn’t see stopped in front of them. Instead of a light, an alternative could be to limit left turns to certain times of the day. The DOT [state Department of Transportation] does recommend this as an alternative at intersections that do not meet the traffic requirements for a light.

Next, having read the ridiculous letters from Mr. DeNicola and Mrs. Esso, I needed to respond. I was referred to as part of the “me generation.” The “me generation” would worry about themselves, not the thousands of Ocean County taxpayers who would have to pay for the traffic light on Princeton Avenue and Brushy Neck Drive. I had originally written the letter to inform Brick residents and Ocean County taxpayers of a huge waste of money. That, Mr. DeNicola, is my big secret agenda.

Maybe we could find a way to build a road connecting Deer Run Lane to Meridan Drive so Mr. DeNicola and Mrs. Esso could avoid Princeton Avenue. But this would make Deer Run Lane a through street and increase the traffic on that road. Then it would be Nimby (not in my backyard), right Mr. DeNicola?

As far as the cost of installing a light being “chump change,” get real. In addition to the costs to the county of installing the light, Brick would have to pay for the electric for this light forever. Brick spends over $1 million dollars a year for electricity used by street lights and traffic lights. Why spend even one dollar more of taxpayers’ money on a light that isn’t needed? When most people shop at the grocery store, even if their bill is $200, they will still use a coupon for 35 cents. Thirty-five cents may be “chump change,” but every little bit helps. Maybe Mr. DeNicola would like to foot the bill for installing the light and paying for the electricity, since to him, the money is just chump change? The big picture is — why should thousands pay for what only a few deem a necessity?

This intersection has been as it is for over 15 years. Maybe the problem is not limited visibility, but limited driver ability. And just for the record, limited visibility is not one of the eight warrants needed for the installation of a traffic light. The warrants require a certain amount of traffic that just does not exist. And just think, if a light is installed, a “No Turn On Red” sign should be included since your reason for a light is poor visibility. This would mean longer waits for people that do have the ability to drive safely, if they want to make a right from Brushy Neck Drive.

Again I say, maybe a fix would be to limit left turns to certain times of the day? Or relocating the stop line closer to the intersection? Or even changing the angle at the intersection so the two roads meet at a 90 degree angle? All I can say is that this light would not be best for the common good.

Let me also state again that installing a light also increases the possibility of rear- end collisions and other accidents due to people running the red light. This happens constantly at the corner of Princeton Avenue and Post Road. And, God forbid, someone tries to avoid a rear- end collision and crashes into my back yard while my family is out there. Then you would be right, Mr. DeNicola, not in my backyard.

Mr. DeNicola also suggests using the light to slow down speeders on Princeton Avenue. Should we discontinue the use of state troopers on the Parkway and instead install traffic lights? Dumb idea. Just as dumb as using a light to slow traffic on Princeton Avenue.

So, get with the program and realize the light would be a waste of money, “chump change” or not. The facts are there. And remember, I have the right to my opinion and you have the right to yours. That is one thing that makes this the greatest country on earth.

Chuck Widmer

Brick