Poll: Most favor Corona stoplight

On a daily basis, drivers who attempt to make a left-hand turn onto Corona Road from Industrial Avenue take their lives into their own hands during the rush hour commute.|

On a daily basis, drivers who attempt to make a left-hand turn onto Corona Road from Industrial Avenue take their lives into their own hands during the rush hour commute. With limited visibility and a fast flow of traffic, it is a difficult turn to safely maneuver. The Argus-Courier questioned whether the intersection needed a light to improve safety for all drivers, and a slight majority of those who took part in this week’s unofficial online poll agree. Here were some of the comments:

“It’s impossible to get out safely.”

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“If the signal is not properly synchronized, it would cause traffic to back up.”

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“If the city would hurry up and get the Rainer cross-town connector built, this would be a non-issue. However until that happens, Corona will continue to be used as an east-west connector and probably needs a light at Industrial.”

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“Yes. The sooner, the better. That is a horrible left-hand turn off Industrial. Sometimes the line of cars gets backed way up during busy times.”

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“It wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

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“There are too many traffic lights going in around Petaluma. It’s not the roads or the intersections that are dangerous, it’s the people out there driving them like idiots.”

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“Yes, if it was installed and maintained correctly. Most of the stoplights in Petaluma are timed incorrectly. City workers seem unable to time them correctly.”

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“As much as I would like to not have another stoplight on the roads I frequently travel, a traffic light at this intersection is probably needed. The traffic has really increased through this area and it’s only a matter of time before a fatal mistake happens.”

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“There are already too many signals in that area. Learn to drive instead.”

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“Better yet, put in a roundabout - everybody loves those.”

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“I’d like to see a traffic signal on North McDowell so that the hordes of people visiting Lagunitas who park across the street can park safely. It’s incredibly dangerous right now, and I don’t think even a crosswalk would be enough. Not on a busy, four-lane road.”

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“I don’t know of a safety problem there. Most of the time you don’t have to wait long to turn left onto Corona from Industrial. People could also choose to go the other way on Industrial and avoid the issue altogether.”

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“If not a traffic signal, then a stop sign would help with traffic flow and safety considerations.”

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“I have seen several accidents over the years here. Making a left-hand turn from Industrial almost feels impossible during commute hours. Similarly, a right-hand turn from Industrial is frequently difficult because traffic is backed up through the intersection. A traffic signal would alleviate much of the headache.”

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“The current and near future does not justify the expense.”

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“A roundabout makes more sense there.”

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“Yes. The wait seems eternal in the mornings.”

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“This is one of many intersections in Petaluma that needs a stoplight - but please time it accurately. So many of the city’s lights are poorly timed and it drives us drivers crazy.”

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