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Which Roads Are Greenwich's Most Dangerous?

A few years ago Julie Johnson’s car was rear-ended on Greenwich Avenue. “I was sitting and waiting [and] someone just hit me,” the Greenwich resident said. “It wasn’t bad, I just had to get bodywork done, but you’re just right there like a sitting duck and there’s nothing you can do.”

This is one of the most common types of accident on the second “most dangerous” road in Greenwich, according to Sgt. John Slusarz of the traffic section of the Greenwich Police Department. In 2010, there were 64 accidents on Greenwich Avenue.

“I’d say 95 percent of the crashes that occur on Greenwich Avenue are backing out accidents, and unfortunately, enforcement isn’t going to stop that,” said Slursarz. “On other roads, where speed is a factor, we can have more patrolling. The only thing we can do on Greenwich Avenue is look for common denominators and educate the public.” 

Jim McNitt of Greenwich thought distractions were the cause of accidents at intersections on Greenwich Avenue. “Seeing all the people trying to talk on their cell phones and spinning the wheel with the other hand … people just aren’t paying attention,” he said.

However, No. 1 for accidents in Greenwich is Route 1. In 2010, there were 224 crashes on the road that extends from West Putnam Avenue to East Putnam Avenue. Greenwich resident Greg Lerner said that last week when he took his mother out for a meal traffic volume was the biggest problem. “Even us, we were looking for this restaurant and we’re driving and looking and looking and driving, it’s not easy,” he said.

Even with the large volume of mishaps on Route 1, the Greenwich PD has seen a decline in car accidents. In 2004, there were 2,400 crashes in town, 1,950 in 2008 and 1,400 in 2010. Slusarz credits the drop to the police department’s mapping out where crashes occur and subsequently increasing enforcement.

Other town roads with numerous accidents, according to 2010 statistics, include Sound Beach Avenue (44), North Street (41), Arch Street (30), King Street (32), Railroad Avenue (21), Stanwich Road (25), Hamilton Avenue (20), Glenville Road (20) and Riversville Road (18).

Resident Corey Fogg doesn’t think roads around Greenwich are all that risky. “Just a lot of the back roads are so windy and people speed, but they really aren’t that dangerous, or at least that’s what I find—if you’re paying attention, of course,” he said.

Which roads do you think are the most dangerous in Greenwich? Comment below or send responses to ahelhoski@mainstreetconnect.us.

 

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