Frustration over traffic accidents (letter) | Letters to the editor

How many accidents are enough?

One day on my way to work, as I turned left from Route 23/New Holland Pike onto Route 30 heading west, I heard the unmistakable sound of two cars crashing into each other.

Unfortunately, in the Grandview Heights neighborhood of Manheim Township, this sound is as common as a bird song. I have lived in the neighborhood most of my life and have been advocating for years to have directional arrows added to the traffic lights at the Pleasure Road/Route 23 intersection. And every time my requests are either ignored or I get an answer like, “Based on the assessment, there is no need for directional lights.” Does the Manheim Township government do business with the towing companies?

First, it’s not uncommon to sit for two or three light cycles when trying to turn left onto Route 23 from Pleasure Road, or when trying to turn left onto Pleasure Road from Route 23. No wonder some people try to “get around the yellow” and end up in a mess.

Second, with the construction of the monstrosities – I mean Celadon at the Grandview Apartments – the traffic is only going to get much worse. Adding more than 200 cars to the daily traffic flow will only make this dire situation worse, if not fatal.

So I ask the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Manheim Township: How many accidents is enough?

Adam Friedrich

Parish of Manheim