Chatham Chatlist Highlights

Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 15:09:10 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
From: Jenn
Subject: traffic circle and law enforcement

I have two things to say.

1- Please stop saying that it is the people from Siler City that are causing problems on the cirlce. I know how to drive in a circle. We have them all over up north and I have driven them all my life. it is insulting to say that. Thank you to all of the people who have said that yield does not mean stop because when people think that it actually causes more problems with traffic. Its just like when you are merging onto a major highway and need to use the ramp to get up speed to merge properly and people slow down and stop on the ramp of the highway. I do agree that it is very dangerous in front of the GSC. Why don’t they put in some speed bumps to make people slow down there. that might help with the people going really fast.

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Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 14:06:00 -0400
From: Lesley Landis
Subject: Circle city traffic in the circle

RE: Circle city traffic in the circle

As an advocate of a pedestrian-friendly Pittsboro, speeding traffic poses a serious and potentially life-threatening problem downtown. Some say they’ve seen an improvement in safe driving since the new florescent cross walk signs were installed recently. I’m not convinced and this on-going discussion seems to prove that out … besides so many signs, and such bright ones are ugly and detract from the aesthetic appeal of our downtown.

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Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:51:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rod and Nancy Dail
Subject: Pittsboro Circle

My basic comment about the circle in downtown Pittsboro is – play nice!

I have noticed that if EVERYONE would slow down (to the speed limit at least) and not be in such a blasted hurry, there wouldn’t be any problems with the circle or downtown parking.  I can’t count the number of times that I have tried to back out of a parking place only to be “ignored” by the oncoming traffic — only to have them stop right behind me and not allow me to pull out.  How rude!!!  If everyone would think of the other person for half a second, just think how much more efficient life would be.

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Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 09:10:45 -0400
From: Candace Steele
Subject: PBO Traffic Circle.

I would have to say there is no problem with the traffic circle.  The problem lies with the drivers who either don’t know how to navigate around it or are just plain discourteous.   I’d much rather have a circle than a traffic light.

Also, just because someone perceives a problem with a particular entrance to the circle doesn’t mean they are targeting specific people.  I come from the General Store way regularly but I don’t live in Siler City.  I also regularly enter from 15-501 headed south too and don’t live directly N or S of the circle.  Oh yes, I also enter the circle from Hardees direction too
but I don’t live out there either.

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Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 00:08:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: carole henry
Subject: blasting?

—————————————-
> Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 10:07:12 -0500
> From: Calvin Oxendine
> Subject: Carole Henry and Pittsboro law enforcement
> You blast me every time I mention the shortcommings of law
> enforcement.  Just to let you know, I can handle what officer Hadley

Sorry Cal that you consider my two emails blasting you, but maybe if you think that, you may have considered a scowl on a cops face or shortness of words as a shortcoming. As other posters have said, the speeding done in Pittsboro lends itself to endangering others, both pedestrians and motorists.  The speed limit is there for a reason, for the safety of all.

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Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 21:25:25 -0500 (CDT)
From: Jeff Lane.org
Subject: Yield does not mean stop.

Remember a red YIELD means to stop and yield.

Just a point of order…  Yield signs mean just that… Yield.  They do NOT mean STOP.  The red Octogon sign with STOP written across it means stop.

Yield meas the following:

IF entering a road and oncomming traffic has right of way, you must slow or stop to allow oncomming traffic to pass before you may proceed.

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Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 21:37:42 -0400
From: Virginia B. Collins
Subject: Re: Danger at the Pittsboro Traffic Circle-what does yield mean

Sorry, Ace. You do not have to stop for a yield sign unless there is traffic approaching. Please read the following quote from the NC Driver’s Manual:

“The yield sign is triangular shaped with the point at the bottom. This sign is red and white with the word “YIELD” in large letters at the top. When you approach the yield sign, you must slow down and yield the right of way. Your need to stop depends on the traffic on the intersecting street. To avoid interfering with that traffic, you must stop and wait for it to pass.”

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Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 19:08:11 -0400
From: Ruby
Subject: “drivers from Siler City”

To those of you who “generalized” and made it to sound like that everyone who is “slingshotting” at the traffic circle” is from Siler City – do you know for a fact the culprits are from Siler City?  Or, did  you mean to say “traffic traveling 64 East”.  I am glad to know that no one in Pittsboro has ever made such a move.  Being from Siler City, I just found it somewhat offensive.  It may not be what you meant, but that is how it appeared.

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Date: Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:37:49 -0400
From: Scotty Young
Subject: traffic circle danger

I’m very glad this issue is coming to notice on the Chatlist. I have often thought i wanted to speak about it and now is my chance……….

The place i feel the most afraid is in front of the General Store Cafe. I often think as cars, sometimes delivery trucks and even and occasional 18 wheeler comes sling shotting out of the circle on to West ST (heading West) that i am *amazed* that someone has not been seriously hurt or killed as a result. I have seen trucks going what seems to me to be 35 or 40 mph around that corner .

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Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 16:06:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kerry Straughn
Subject: Traffic Circle

<I too, have witnessed cars rapidly  ”slingshotting” out of the traffic
<circle, most notably when I am crossing West Street in front of the General
<Store Cafe.  Several times I have feared for the safety of myself and my two
<children, one of whom is disabled and not a very fast walker.

<You are right, Ace.  Those coming from Siler City never yield and drive
<right on through the round-a-bout.  I have noticed this over the years.  The
<other entrances to the round-a-bout, people yield except those coming from
<Siler City.

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