The township of Kidder has taken upon itself to install a new traffic control device at the intersection of Route 903 and Lake Harmony Road in Kidder Township. This new device consists of seven traffic lights mounted over the two lanes of Route 903, and two flashing yellow signals placed a few hundred feet west of the intersection to warn motorists that they are approaching the intersection. This brings the total to nine electronic traffic signals, which is more than some of the busiest intersections in Manhattan.

As a longtime resident of the area, I have never witnessed any traffic problems at this intersection at any time of the day or night. If improved safety is the issue, this could be accomplished more efficiently and with less blight by placing a couple of stop signs on either side of the intersection along Route 903 and adjusting the speed limit, which changes three times within the 4-mile stretch of Route 903 between Albrightsville and Route 115. Studies show that the installation of unwarranted traffic signals does not guarantee the safety of intersections, and in some cases can contribute to accidents, especially rear-end collisions.

Kidder Township’s excessive use of traffic signals at a lightly used intersection in a sparsely populated, low-volume traffic area is a waste of energy and public funds, a potential danger to public safety, and an eyesore in the middle of a scenic, wooded area of the Poconos.

Juliet Perrin

Albrightsville