Police Commission members, in their role as the local traffic authority, are reviewing a statistical report listing the places in town with the highest accident rates during a three-year period, with an eye toward making some traffic improvements to reduce those collision rates.

According to the report prepared by police Lieutenant Christopher Vanghele, the place with the highest accident rate for 2012 through 2014 inclusive is #60 through #66 Church Hill Road, where 61 accidents occurred during that period. That area is the Church Hill Road section lying between its intersection with eastbound Interstate 84’s Exit 10 ramps and its intersection with Commerce Road.

The place with the second highest incidence of accidents, with 55 collisions, is the flagpole intersection of Main Street, Church Hill Road, and West Street.

Third on the list is the intersection of Berkshire Road and Wasserman Way, with 34 collisions.

If the offset intersection of South Main Street, Mile Hill Road, and Country Club Road is considered to be one intersection, then it has the fourth highest accident rate, with 30 crashes. More specifically, that figure breaks down to 16 crashes at the intersection of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road, and 14 collisions at the intersection of South Main Street and Country Club Road.

Other areas with high accident rates include the intersection of Berkshire Road and Toddy Hill Road, 23 accidents; the intersection of Berkshire Road and Pole Bridge Road, 20; the intersection of Berkshire Road and Bennetts Bridge Road, 15; the intersection of Hattertown Road, Poverty Hollow Road, and Key Rock Road, 11; the intersection of Main Street, South Main Street, Glover Avenue, and Sugar Street, 10; and the intersection of Botsford Hill Road and Swamp Road, 9.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe told Police Commission members that the Church Hill Road section lying west of Exit 10 has been a traffic-accident problem area for years. The many commercial driveway entrances in that area lead to vehicular turning conflicts that result in collisions.

The state plans to start construction in the spring of 2016 on a road project to convert the widely offset intersection of Church Hill Road, Edmond Road, and Commerce Road into a conventional four-way signalized intersection to improve traffic safety reduce traffic accidents.

Chief Kehoe said the state also is planning to make improvements at the Berkshire Road/Wasserman Way intersection as part of its reconfiguration of the Exit 11 interchange of I-84. That project is tentatively scheduled to start in 2019 (see related story).

Flagpole Intersection

Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico said that although there are plans to make improvements in the places with the highest accident rate and the third-highest accident rate, there are no plans to make improvements at the flagpole intersection on Main Street, which has the second-highest accident rate.

Resident John Bermingham of 42 Main Street noted that the flagpole lies in a residential area, adding that he hopes the history of the structure is considered if any traffic changes planned for that area.

The flagpole has landmark status based on an act of the state legislature, and thus protections are in place in terms of making any changes to the structure.

 Mr Mangiafico stressed that no member of the Police Commission supports removing the flagpole from it current location.

But, he added, commission members are concerned about the number of accidents that occur at the flagpole intersection.

Sherry Bermingham of 42 Main Street said it is good that crosswalks are present at the flagpole intersection. She suggested that those crosswalks be repainted to make them more visible.

Borough Warden James Gaston of 18 Main Street said of the traffic accident report, “I think this is way too premature to disclose to the public.”

“This is premature. The public will get the wrong idea,” he said.

Mr Gaston also questioned the accuracy of the statistics listed in the accident report. He urged that a more detailed set of accident statistics be developed. He listed a variety of accident statistical criteria that he considers necessary for such a report.

Mr Gaston also questioned the methodology used in preparing the accident report. The information presented in the report is not thorough enough, he said.

Police Commission member Andrew Sachs asked Mr Gaston whether there is any need for increased safety measures at the flagpole intersection.

Mr Gaston responded that the crosswalks there could be marked better for improved visibility.

Mr Mangiafico urged that Police Commission members fully consider what measures are needed to improve safety at the flagpole intersection.

The chairman said commission members would discuss on June 2 what steps should be taken to improve flagpole intersection safety.

Making any changes at the flagpole intersection is complicated by the fact both Main Street and Church Hill Road are state roads and are under state control.