Here we go again! Manville Township has yet another new traffic pattern; however, this time it is in front of the police station on Main Street. Last week a new adjustment to the traffic pattern consisted of a change to the left turning lane, in which left turns can now be yielded on a green light instead of using the jughandle behind the police station.

For many, many years, Manville has had the jughandle in use to make what would be a left turn to get onto Brooks Blvd. When on Main Street, driving northbound, the driver would make a right turn behind the police station, continue to the stop sign, make a left turn, and could keep going straight onto Brooks Blvd. Now, instead, when going northbound, drivers are able to make a left turn onto Brooks. This completely eliminates the need of the jughandle, and many would say this new pattern is easier and more efficient when driving and just taking this left turn.

However, what would those who are for this new traffic pattern say when they realize this new ability to make left turns adds a higher risk factor for accidents? This pattern in the traffic is the exact same as the one just a little farther north, at the next light near McDonald’s. At this light, there have been numerous accidents, including fatalities and tragedies.

Just recently, on May 10th around 8:30 am, there was yet another crash from the left lane when the driver was heading southbound. With this newly added left turn near the police station, are we to expect the same results as the other light? Is Main Street safe to drive on anymore, or is it just becoming too risky?