On the death of Joanne Grecco

My sympathy to the family, co-workers and friends of Joann who lost her life while crossing the street here in Milford. I still find it difficult to believe she is gone. Unfortunately, it is not difficult to believe that it could happen. Anyone who does any walking at all is quite aware of how miraculous it is that more people are not injured or killed. I’ve had a number of near misses myself and I’m not alone. In memory of Joann, why don’t we look at our traffic laws and see what we can do to improve them. My understanding is that Joann and her daughter were crossing at a corner. Some are suggesting another traffic light. Most pedestrians are fully aware that crossing at the light is very dangerous and was the site of most of my near misses. The problem with crossing at the light is that the pedestrian Walk sign lights up after the green light signals the automobile drivers to make their right and left turns. So, pedestrians are walking into traffic. If there are a lot of autos making turns, you can’t get across the street. Drivers seem confused when they see a person trying to cross the street and seem unaware that we have the light too. A very simple solution is to have traffic stop four ways for the 12 seconds given to pedestrians to cross the street. And, this is precisely what was done in Scranton when the new lights were installed and several pedestrians were injured. Are Milford residents’ lives less valuable? Other solutions are to install Stop signs at some of the other corners, reduce the speed limit, ban cell phone use, and enact and enforce stiffer traffic fines. Surely, Penn Dot and our elected officials can do this. We owe this to Joann and to all those who loved her and also to the young woman driver who must live daily with the pain of knowing her role in the accident and loss. My prayers are with all of you. Mary Ann Gittens Milford