Residents Worry about Safety at Palm Springs Intersection
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In the Coachella Valley, we see the most fatal and serious crashes along the I-10. But off the freeway, the intersection of Crossley and Dinah Shore has many residents terrified. They say there's just been too many accidents and deaths there. Video by kmir6.com
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In the Coachella Valley, we see the most fatal and serious crashes along the I-10. But off the freeway, the intersection of Crossley and Dinah Shore has many residents terrified. They say there's just been too many accidents and deaths there.
"It's a tough thing to see and to know that this is happening right where I live, right near my house, where I have to see it everyday," says Julie Levine.
Every day Levine drives through the intersection, and every day like thousands of other drivers she sees the two crosses on the side of the road where two men died.
One man died after colliding with a utility truck. The other man--a motorcyclist-- died trying to make a left turn.
"I'm scared every time I'm at this intersection and if I'm scared I'm sure other people are too," said Levine.
Levine says she narrowly escaped a tragic accident. A driver slammed into her car as she crossed the intersection, just barely missing the driver's door.
The accident sent Levine's car spinning and her to the hospital. Levine says her knee will never be the same, but mostly she's scarred from the experience.
She's not alone. Many residents have contacted KMIR6, saying the intersection is unsafe. Some blame this yield sign and believe there should be a left turn arrow there instead. Drivers try to make a turn and end up colliding with oncoming traffic.
According to a 2009 case study by the U.S. Department of Transportation left turn arrows can effectively reduce crashes, but it's unclear if that would make the intersection any safer.
"You can put stop signs, stop lights, you can put all those things in place but if people aren't going to heed them and obey the laws that all these cautionary devices or signs or restrictions are in place for, it doesn't matter. It comes down to the driver doing what needs to be done," said CHP Officer Joe Zagorski.
We took the issue to the city and the director of Public Works, Dave Barakian said there is no current plans to change the intersection. However the city is now looking at what's behind the accidents there.
"I just worry," said Levine. "I worry about other people that weren't as lucky as I was. Something needs to be done."
Jessica Flores, KMIR6 News.
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