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NEW CANAAN, Conn. Amy Kennedy has long been concerned about speeding on Old Stamford Road.
The 30-year New Canaan resident and member of the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps said shes seen many accidents at the intersection of Old Stamford Road, Park and Bank streets.
Ive responded to a minimum of 20 calls at that location, be they motor vehicle versus motor vehicle, motor vehicle versus bike and motor vehicle versus tree, she said.
Her worries grew nearly two months ago when her 14-year-old son was hit by a car on Old Stamford Road. He looked up and down and didnt see a vehicle and proceeded to cross the street, said Kennedy. He thought he had safe passage.
When the boy, whom Kennedy did not want identified, saw the car coming at him quickly, he knew he was going to be hit, she said. He suffered broken bones, multiple lacerations, a concussion and will require significant plastic surgery, Kennedy said. Hes unbelievably lucky to be alive.
According to the New Canaan Police Department, there have been 24 incidents at the intersection since 2005. Most involved drivers following too closely and rear-ending another vehicle. Several residents have complained recently about speeding on Old Stamford Road.
The Public Works Department and the Police Commission are trying to improve safety on Old Stamford Road. Town officials have drawn up plans to create a pedestrian refuge island at the intersection, which will include widening the turning radius for drivers coming off Old Stamford Road and heading to Park Street. The plan must be approved by the state Department of Transportation because Old Stamford Road and Park Street are also State Route 106.
Kennedy previously proposed adding a better crosswalk for the intersection. She says shed support the island if it helps slow down traffic. Kennedy said it would be better if New Canaan drivers did better stopping at stop signs and intersections.
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