RSS Feeds
News
Shoreline Woman Fighting Back After Being Hit Twice at Same Intersection
Tweet
Sean Alexander and his wife Colleen Kelly Alexander at home in Clinton. Colleen Kelly Alexander survived a horrific accident as a bicyclist. She was hit by a truck at the intersection of Neck Road and the Boston Post Road in Madison. She is healing from multiple, horrific injuries. Mara Lavitt/Register
MADISON — Colleen Kelly Alexander should not be alive.
But she is, and she is putting all of her energy into preventing what happened to her from happening to others.
The 36-year-old Clinton resident — an avid cyclist and triathlete — was riding her bike on the Boston Post Road near Neck Road in October when she was hit by a large delivery truck. The core of her body and pelvis were crushed. Alexander was in critical condition and remained in a medically induced coma for 40 days.
She said if it wasn’t for her athletic build and strong heart, she likely wouldn’t have made it.
Alexander left the hospital in late December and said she has been in “survival mode” since. But last Sunday, a jarring car accident in almost exactly the same spot as her accident caused her stop trying to acclimate to normal life and start advocating for others’ safety.
“The first time, a freight truck rolled through the stop sign, didn’t look, and rolled me over. The driver didn’t know it happened until he was 300 feet away and my bike was under his chassis,” she said. “This time we saw the car roll through the stop sign and come right at us. It was feet from where my body lay before.”
Alexander, who was not injured in the latest accident, said drivers aren’t paying attention; they aren’t stopping at stop signs. Continued...
“It’s also a bit of a blind spot, so if you don’t stop completely and look both ways, you’re not going to see. You have to be cognizant of following the law.”
According to traffic and highway safety laws listed on the General Assembly’s website, drivers not only have to halt at a stop sign, but they also have to look to make sure there is no oncoming traffic. If drivers only do one of those two things, they can be cited for a traffic violation. Continued...
But she is, and she is putting all of her energy into preventing what happened to her from happening to others.
The 36-year-old Clinton resident — an avid cyclist and triathlete — was riding her bike on the Boston Post Road near Neck Road in October when she was hit by a large delivery truck. The core of her body and pelvis were crushed. Alexander was in critical condition and remained in a medically induced coma for 40 days.
She said if it wasn’t for her athletic build and strong heart, she likely wouldn’t have made it.
Alexander left the hospital in late December and said she has been in “survival mode” since. But last Sunday, a jarring car accident in almost exactly the same spot as her accident caused her stop trying to acclimate to normal life and start advocating for others’ safety.
“The first time, a freight truck rolled through the stop sign, didn’t look, and rolled me over. The driver didn’t know it happened until he was 300 feet away and my bike was under his chassis,” she said. “This time we saw the car roll through the stop sign and come right at us. It was feet from where my body lay before.”
Alexander, who was not injured in the latest accident, said drivers aren’t paying attention; they aren’t stopping at stop signs. Continued...
“It’s also a bit of a blind spot, so if you don’t stop completely and look both ways, you’re not going to see. You have to be cognizant of following the law.”
According to traffic and highway safety laws listed on the General Assembly’s website, drivers not only have to halt at a stop sign, but they also have to look to make sure there is no oncoming traffic. If drivers only do one of those two things, they can be cited for a traffic violation. Continued...
Reader Comments »
View reader comments (0) » Comment on this story »
Alexander is advocating for a traffic light or blinking red light to be installed at the intersection so people are reminded to stop, as well as a bike lane along the Post Road.
She said that cyclists have to do their part by knowing basic cycling laws, being vigilant of vehicles and wearing a helmet.
“I’m very fortunate to be alive,” said Alexander, who faces three more surgeries before she can fully recover. “But the last accident felt like God or someone is telling me something. I want to get as strongly involved (with safety measures) as I can.”
The process for adding amenities like a bike lane and a traffic light to the Post Road and Neck Road intersection starts with contacting the town. Because the Post Road is a state road, residents can send a request to the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Police Commissioners, which will discuss the matter with the state.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said generally if traffic signals are warranted, they already are installed, however.
The DOT uses the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to decide if signals should be put in, using criteria such as roadway types, accident patterns and traffic volume.
With regard to a traffic signal, Nursick said people going through a stop sign are already breaking the law.
“The state’s vast majority of accidents are caused by failure of the user — motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — to obey the basic rules of the road. Human error is the most common cause of accidents,” he said. Continued...
According to Nursick, that area of the Post Road has 3- or 4-foot-wide shoulders, so there is space for cyclists and cars.
“There is room for both, but the cooperation has to be there,” he said. Continued...
She said that cyclists have to do their part by knowing basic cycling laws, being vigilant of vehicles and wearing a helmet.
“I’m very fortunate to be alive,” said Alexander, who faces three more surgeries before she can fully recover. “But the last accident felt like God or someone is telling me something. I want to get as strongly involved (with safety measures) as I can.”
The process for adding amenities like a bike lane and a traffic light to the Post Road and Neck Road intersection starts with contacting the town. Because the Post Road is a state road, residents can send a request to the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Police Commissioners, which will discuss the matter with the state.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said generally if traffic signals are warranted, they already are installed, however.
The DOT uses the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to decide if signals should be put in, using criteria such as roadway types, accident patterns and traffic volume.
With regard to a traffic signal, Nursick said people going through a stop sign are already breaking the law.
“The state’s vast majority of accidents are caused by failure of the user — motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — to obey the basic rules of the road. Human error is the most common cause of accidents,” he said. Continued...
According to Nursick, that area of the Post Road has 3- or 4-foot-wide shoulders, so there is space for cyclists and cars.
“There is room for both, but the cooperation has to be there,” he said. Continued...
From 2003 to 2009, there were 22 accidents at the two Neck Road intersections with the Post Road, none fatal, and the two most common causes were following too closely and failure to grant right of way.
Police Department records show five accidents since 2008.
Nursick said in 2010, 9,100 vehicles traveled that stretch of the Post Road and Neck Road daily, and “on face value, that’s not indicative of a trend or pattern that is necessarily correctable through infrastructure changes.”
He added that if the town asks, the DOT will study the area to see if a traffic signal is warranted and report back.
Alexander is looking for people to get involved and help make the intersection and the rest of the state a safer place.
“Almost four months after my accident, I still look like a horror movie. This didn’t need to happen,” said Alexander. “But I’m here. I’m alive. So let’s make things happen and avoid anyone else going through anything like this again.”
To get involved, contact her at
colleenkalexander@gmail.com. Continued...
To report a dangerous intersection or other hazard in your town, visit SeeClickFix.com.
Police Department records show five accidents since 2008.
Nursick said in 2010, 9,100 vehicles traveled that stretch of the Post Road and Neck Road daily, and “on face value, that’s not indicative of a trend or pattern that is necessarily correctable through infrastructure changes.”
He added that if the town asks, the DOT will study the area to see if a traffic signal is warranted and report back.
Alexander is looking for people to get involved and help make the intersection and the rest of the state a safer place.
“Almost four months after my accident, I still look like a horror movie. This didn’t need to happen,” said Alexander. “But I’m here. I’m alive. So let’s make things happen and avoid anyone else going through anything like this again.”
To get involved, contact her at
colleenkalexander@gmail.com. Continued...
To report a dangerous intersection or other hazard in your town, visit SeeClickFix.com.
MADISON — Colleen Kelly Alexander should not be alive.
But she is, and she is putting all of her energy into preventing what happened to her from happening to others.
The 36-year-old Clinton resident — an avid cyclist and triathlete — was riding her bike on the Boston Post Road near Neck Road in October when she was hit by a large delivery truck. The core of her body and pelvis were crushed. Alexander was in critical condition and remained in a medically induced coma for 40 days.
She said if it wasn’t for her athletic build and strong heart, she likely wouldn’t have made it.
Alexander left the hospital in late December and said she has been in “survival mode” since. But last Sunday, a jarring car accident in almost exactly the same spot as her accident caused her stop trying to acclimate to normal life and start advocating for others’ safety.
“The first time, a freight truck rolled through the stop sign, didn’t look, and rolled me over. The driver didn’t know it happened until he was 300 feet away and my bike was under his chassis,” she said. “This time we saw the car roll through the stop sign and come right at us. It was feet from where my body lay before.”
Alexander, who was not injured in the latest accident, said drivers aren’t paying attention; they aren’t stopping at stop signs. Continued...
“It’s also a bit of a blind spot, so if you don’t stop completely and look both ways, you’re not going to see. You have to be cognizant of following the law.”
According to traffic and highway safety laws listed on the General Assembly’s website, drivers not only have to halt at a stop sign, but they also have to look to make sure there is no oncoming traffic. If drivers only do one of those two things, they can be cited for a traffic violation.
Alexander is advocating for a traffic light or blinking red light to be installed at the intersection so people are reminded to stop, as well as a bike lane along the Post Road.
She said that cyclists have to do their part by knowing basic cycling laws, being vigilant of vehicles and wearing a helmet.
“I’m very fortunate to be alive,” said Alexander, who faces three more surgeries before she can fully recover. “But the last accident felt like God or someone is telling me something. I want to get as strongly involved (with safety measures) as I can.”
The process for adding amenities like a bike lane and a traffic light to the Post Road and Neck Road intersection starts with contacting the town. Because the Post Road is a state road, residents can send a request to the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Police Commissioners, which will discuss the matter with the state.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said generally if traffic signals are warranted, they already are installed, however.
The DOT uses the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to decide if signals should be put in, using criteria such as roadway types, accident patterns and traffic volume.
With regard to a traffic signal, Nursick said people going through a stop sign are already breaking the law.
“The state’s vast majority of accidents are caused by failure of the user — motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — to obey the basic rules of the road. Human error is the most common cause of accidents,” he said. Continued...
According to Nursick, that area of the Post Road has 3- or 4-foot-wide shoulders, so there is space for cyclists and cars.
“There is room for both, but the cooperation has to be there,” he said.
From 2003 to 2009, there were 22 accidents at the two Neck Road intersections with the Post Road, none fatal, and the two most common causes were following too closely and failure to grant right of way.
Police Department records show five accidents since 2008.
Nursick said in 2010, 9,100 vehicles traveled that stretch of the Post Road and Neck Road daily, and “on face value, that’s not indicative of a trend or pattern that is necessarily correctable through infrastructure changes.”
He added that if the town asks, the DOT will study the area to see if a traffic signal is warranted and report back.
Alexander is looking for people to get involved and help make the intersection and the rest of the state a safer place.
“Almost four months after my accident, I still look like a horror movie. This didn’t need to happen,” said Alexander. “But I’m here. I’m alive. So let’s make things happen and avoid anyone else going through anything like this again.”
To get involved, contact her at
colleenkalexander@gmail.com. Continued...
To report a dangerous intersection or other hazard in your town, visit SeeClickFix.com.
But she is, and she is putting all of her energy into preventing what happened to her from happening to others.
The 36-year-old Clinton resident — an avid cyclist and triathlete — was riding her bike on the Boston Post Road near Neck Road in October when she was hit by a large delivery truck. The core of her body and pelvis were crushed. Alexander was in critical condition and remained in a medically induced coma for 40 days.
She said if it wasn’t for her athletic build and strong heart, she likely wouldn’t have made it.
Alexander left the hospital in late December and said she has been in “survival mode” since. But last Sunday, a jarring car accident in almost exactly the same spot as her accident caused her stop trying to acclimate to normal life and start advocating for others’ safety.
“The first time, a freight truck rolled through the stop sign, didn’t look, and rolled me over. The driver didn’t know it happened until he was 300 feet away and my bike was under his chassis,” she said. “This time we saw the car roll through the stop sign and come right at us. It was feet from where my body lay before.”
Alexander, who was not injured in the latest accident, said drivers aren’t paying attention; they aren’t stopping at stop signs. Continued...
“It’s also a bit of a blind spot, so if you don’t stop completely and look both ways, you’re not going to see. You have to be cognizant of following the law.”
According to traffic and highway safety laws listed on the General Assembly’s website, drivers not only have to halt at a stop sign, but they also have to look to make sure there is no oncoming traffic. If drivers only do one of those two things, they can be cited for a traffic violation.
Alexander is advocating for a traffic light or blinking red light to be installed at the intersection so people are reminded to stop, as well as a bike lane along the Post Road.
She said that cyclists have to do their part by knowing basic cycling laws, being vigilant of vehicles and wearing a helmet.
“I’m very fortunate to be alive,” said Alexander, who faces three more surgeries before she can fully recover. “But the last accident felt like God or someone is telling me something. I want to get as strongly involved (with safety measures) as I can.”
The process for adding amenities like a bike lane and a traffic light to the Post Road and Neck Road intersection starts with contacting the town. Because the Post Road is a state road, residents can send a request to the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Police Commissioners, which will discuss the matter with the state.
State Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said generally if traffic signals are warranted, they already are installed, however.
The DOT uses the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to decide if signals should be put in, using criteria such as roadway types, accident patterns and traffic volume.
With regard to a traffic signal, Nursick said people going through a stop sign are already breaking the law.
“The state’s vast majority of accidents are caused by failure of the user — motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — to obey the basic rules of the road. Human error is the most common cause of accidents,” he said. Continued...
According to Nursick, that area of the Post Road has 3- or 4-foot-wide shoulders, so there is space for cyclists and cars.
“There is room for both, but the cooperation has to be there,” he said.
From 2003 to 2009, there were 22 accidents at the two Neck Road intersections with the Post Road, none fatal, and the two most common causes were following too closely and failure to grant right of way.
Police Department records show five accidents since 2008.
Nursick said in 2010, 9,100 vehicles traveled that stretch of the Post Road and Neck Road daily, and “on face value, that’s not indicative of a trend or pattern that is necessarily correctable through infrastructure changes.”
He added that if the town asks, the DOT will study the area to see if a traffic signal is warranted and report back.
Alexander is looking for people to get involved and help make the intersection and the rest of the state a safer place.
“Almost four months after my accident, I still look like a horror movie. This didn’t need to happen,” said Alexander. “But I’m here. I’m alive. So let’s make things happen and avoid anyone else going through anything like this again.”
To get involved, contact her at
colleenkalexander@gmail.com. Continued...
To report a dangerous intersection or other hazard in your town, visit SeeClickFix.com.
Comments
Login To Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not Registered? Sign up today for free!
ADVERTISEMENT
RSS Feeds