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March 1, 2010 - 10:28pm

Sidewalk Snowplow Facts...

by Dave Atkins

At the most recent meeting of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee, member Steve Harte reported back to the committee on what he had learned from the town DPW about sidewalk plowing. Safety Office Paul Sicard was also on hand to talk about his experience with snow and safety issues on the sidewalk. I thought these facts were interesting and worth sharing...did you know...

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February 4, 2010 - 9:40pm

Cell Phone Ban, but not Really

by Dave Atkins

The Mass. House voted today to ban texting and cell phone use while driving but allowed an exception for drivers who use hands-free devices. The bill also requires drivers over 75 years of age to renew their licenses in person (including a vision test) every 5 years.

While there is near unanimity in support of banning texting, the hands-free law is more controversial. Washington, D.C. enacted a hands-free law 5 years ago, and a recent study found no impact on safety. The issue--opponents of these bans argue--is distracted driving, not the idea that an accident occurs because the driver is dialing a number or doesn't have both hands on the wheel. Another study last month created even more controversy--as blogged about by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation--when it declared that cell phone bans don't accomplish anything.

Laws don't change behavior, but doing nothing is unacceptable as well. Perhaps this law will be passed this time (it was killed in the Senate when it last passed the House) and create some momentum towards discouraging distracted driving.

January 2, 2010 - 4:04pm

Norfolk County Commissioners Block Efforts to Calm Traffic on Canton Street

by Dave Atkins

According to a press release posted on the Norfolk County Commissioners website, the board has unanimously denied the request by Westwood to modify Canton Street. The press release includes no details on the rationale behind this decision, but last year, the issue was the subject of some controversy at a public hearing where Canton selectmen spoke in opposition to the modifications based in part on larger concerns about the influx of traffic that could be generated if and when Westwood Station is built.

The proposed changes are part of a process that included dozens of meetings with residents and development of an engineering proposal that--regardless of the future of Westwood Station--was designed to slow down traffic and improve public safety in the Westwood neighborhoods. Full details on the plans for traffic calming in the Canton-Everett-Forbes area are available on the Town of Westwood website.

No local media has covered this story yet. I am biased, as a Westwood resident who would like to see Canton street turned in a safer street that would allow pedestrians and cyclists to navigate without fear for their lives, but I can also understand the road serves vital transportation needs between Dedham, route 128, and Canton. A previous proposal to "dead-end" Canton Street at 128 drew massive criticism from Dedham residents who use East Street to get onto the highway. The criticism from the public hearing--as reported above--indicated opponents felt Westwood had not done enough engineering study or planning--but from what I can see, there have been YEARS of thought put into this, coupled with an effort to address the concerns of residents all along the way. Following the reation to the initial ideas in 2007, a whole series of public meetings and engagement with an engineering firm resulted in the current plan. Traffic study data can be downloaded from the town website.

Regardless of how ANYONE feels about Westwood Station, this is a project that needs to happen. I hope the County Commissioners will provide more details on the basis of their denial of this request as I'm sure the matter will now wend its way into the legal system--generating more expense, more delay, and no progress for those who see Canton Street as an extended off ramp from 128...

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