New four-way stop draws mixed reactions from local drivers

By Gabriel Bell

A recently installed four-way stop at the intersection of Little Mountain Road and Mt Pleasant Road has drawn mixed reactions from local residents.

Four stop signs with “24-hour flashing beacons and painted lines” were installed at the intersection on November 17th, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Prior to the installation of the four-way stop, only drivers entering the intersection from Little Mountain Road were met with stop signs. All four entrances to the intersection were already equipped with flashing “vehicle entering” lights.

“An NCDOT traffic study revealed 19 crashes at this intersection over the last five years, including one fatal crash,” the press release reads. “NCDOT crash data shows all-way stops reduce total crashes by 55%, fatal and serious injury crashes by 92% and frontal-impact crashes with minor injuries by 72%.”

Some residents approve of the measure, citing lack of visibility when entering the intersection.

“There are wrecks there often,” wrote one resident. “One issue is the speed and time to respond on Mt Pleasant Road. When cars come up the hill after passing Horse Feathers, [a local, defunct restaurant], there isn’t enough visual clearance to avoid someone crossing on Little Mountain going either way. A four-way stop [is] extremely beneficial for all directions.”

Some residents do not believe the four-way stop will improve safety at the intersection.

“This intersection is not complicated,” a resident wrote. “I honestly don’t think this will significantly reduce accidents. People don’t know how to use a four-way stop and this is a blind intersection for people coming from Horse Feathers direction on Mount Pleasant. I have started training myself to go to 150 from Little Mountain instead of using Mount Pleasant just to avoid this intersection.”

Locals complain that drivers have been ignoring the newly installed stop signs on Mt Pleasant Road. Several residents reported that they were almost struck by vehicles that did not stop when passing through the intersection.

“It is now a four-way stop but that doesn’t mean they will stop,” wrote one resident. “I was at a complete stop on Little Mountain and a car coming up the hill on Mt Pleasant at a high rate of speed never even slowed going through the intersection.”

According to one resident, the new stop signs were installed after a successful grassroots campaign targeted at the NCDOT. That resident says locals wanted a traffic light installed, but despite the infrastructure already existing at the intersection, NCDOT turned down the idea.

“I wish there was a traffic light at that intersection,” the resident wrote. “The four-way stop is an improvement from the previous system, but it’s still a challenging intersection. I often choose to take a longer route to avoid it … Look at the difference the light on the corner of 150 and Little Mountain has made.”

At least one accident has occurred at the intersection since the installation of the four-way stop.

For more information regarding the rules and reasons for four-way stops, visit the NCDOT’s website at www.ncdot.gov.