Orange barrels and flashing signs should help drivers recognize when they’re entering a construction zone. Yet, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation workers, many drivers either fail to notice these alerts or ignore them. This can lead to serious harm, such as a brain injury. Construction zones have lower speed limits, and for good reason. Traffic lanes may be narrower than usual in construction zones, a...
In December, an 83-year-old woman was crossing Washington Avenue at 24th Street when she was struck by two vehicles. She died at the accident scene. Residents of the area held a small demonstration following the accident, demanding the city do something to make Washington Avenue safer. Numerous meetings in recent years have sought to develop a plan to improve the road’s safety, but city planners, business owners, and r...
Bicyclists want better protection from vehicles. Motorists want faster commutes. And city leaders can’t seem to reach a consensus about what’s best for residents. Philadelphia’s WHYY-FM covered a Streets Department budget hearing in April, in which City Council President Darrell Clarke and Mike Carroll, director of the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, debated what the city’s priorities should...
In August 2016, a 3-year-old boy was ejected from his seat while riding the Rollo Coaster ride at Idlewild & SoakZone, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The boy suffered serious injuries in the accident, and state officials closed the ride and launched an investigation. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Division of Amusement Rides and Attractions oversees the safe operation of rides. Ride operators must regist...
We try as parents to keep our kids safe. From teaching them about dealing with strangers to the importance of wearing a helmet when riding their bicycle, life is full of lessons intended to keep them out of harm’s way. Daycare should be an extension of those lessons, a place of comfort and protection. While there are many excellent daycare facilities, there are unfortunately some that put children at risk. Daycare cen...