US 60 Pedestrian Signal Project Begins June 11

Construction begins next Monday (June 11) on the new pedestrian signal next to Globe High School at the intersection of US 60 and High Street.

The $142,000 Highway Safety Improvement Program project also includes new pedestrian crosswalks, and sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements.

Work hours will be 8:am to 5:pm Monday through Friday. The right lanes of east and westbound US 60 will be closed during work hours. There may be short delays while traffic is directed into one lane through the work zone.

A flier explaining the use of the new signal will be available at Globe City Hall, the Globe Police Department and the Globe Fire Department..

Students attending Globe High School will be given instructions on how to use the signal at the start of the new school year.

ADOT Working to Prevent Wrong-Way Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Commission says that 23 people died in wrong-way Arizona crashes in 2009, the latest year with available data. These were accidents in which a driver entered a road against traffic or drove on the wrong side of the road.
The Arizona Republic reports that the state Transportation Department is testing new technologies and road markers to combat the problem.

Most of the time the driver realizes the error quickly and disappears before patrol officers arrive, but when accidents occur they tend to be more severe.

The NHTSA says that drunk drivers are at fault in three fourths of all wrong way crashes. The agency also says that wrong way drivers have more traffic violations, felony convictions and other accidents than the average motorist.

ABC15 Reports on Globe Crosswalk

ABC15 in Phoenix did a report this week about the crosswalk near Globe High School.

Two students have been struck by cars recently while trying to cross Highway 60.
Cars frequently fail to stop when people are in the crosswalk. Reporter Jay Reynolds saw several close calls himself and you can see a couple of them in his video report.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is responsible for the roadway. They told Reynolds that they didn’t know there was a problem, but they are willing to work with local government to fix it.

Globe High School Principal Cindy Parravano is afraid it’s only a matter of time before something disastrous happens. She says she will probably write a letter soon to the Department asking them to take some action.

AAA Offers 'Tipsy Tow' Again This Weekend

The American Automobile Association reminds everyone to greet the New Year safely. To help motorists keep the resolution to not drink and drive, AAA is offering its “Tipsy Tow” service again this weekend. Drivers, passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers can call 1-800-AAA-HELP between 6:pm New Years Eve and 6:am New Year’s Day.