Current Issues in Journalism

There is a cautionary void on the corner of Cambridge and High Drive where a stop sign is greatly needed. The lack of a stop sign on the eastbound road, coupled with a visual obstacle of shrubs on the southbound High Drive, creates much confusion for drivers at the existing stop sign as well as those eastbound on Cambridge.
Given that the area is densely populated, due to its surroundings of five Greek chapter houses containing approximately eighty individuals apiece and other private student residences, the chance for students to get into accidents on such a well traveled road is high. Some individuals stop or yield at the unmarked corner simply to be sure no unseen traffic is coming. When they do stop, it causes problems in the flow of traffic. However, when drivers barrel through the unmarked corner, not visible to the driver to their left, breaks most definitely screech.
"By adding a stop sign, it would eliminate a lot of confusion at the intersection," said Brian Harrison, Overland Park junior.
To add a stop sign, a written request must be sent to the e-mail address of the traffic department at city hall at traffic@ci.lawrence.ks.us. After the city receives a request, a survey lasting approximately two weeks must take place. The survey evaluates a number of variables at the sight such as, speed, crash record, and visual blockage. Other evaluation criteria can be viewed on the website for the traffic manual at www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.
"A study would be conducted and we would first look at installing a yield sign at the location, but a stop sign would be installed if the survey concluded that one would best suit the location," said David Woosely, Department of Public Works Traffic Engineer.
No parent, sibling, or friend wants to receive a call saying that their loved one was injured or killed in a wreck less than a mile from campus, which is a seemingly safe place. The addition of the stop sign would create a much smoother flow of traffic and possibly prevent the injury or loss of a student, faculty, or Lawrence citizen's life.