Intersection requires caution, patience

Accidents at the intersection have tripled during the past two years, according to the City Engineering office.

The intersection involves drivers having to stop at several locations and includes a total of five stop signs.

Patterson makes an abrupt right, then left. Drivers are coming toward each other in six directions. Some say they're not sure of the right of way.

"That's a very confusing intersection," said freshman consumer science major Joanna Guess. "I don't normally have to use it, so I don't."

General education director Pat Stevens said she avoids the intersection when at all possible.

"I avoid it because of the multi-tasking that you have to go through at the intersection," Stevens said. "It's hard to guess what a person is going to do. I go any other way but (Patterson and Walker)."

According to the City Engineering office, 17 accidents occurred at the intersection in 2000. In April alone, five wrecks were reported, two happening within a day of each other.

An intersection observation was done to see just how bad the problem was.

During a four-day monitoring of the intersection by The Daily Helmsman, 42 drivers apparently nearly collided while either turning or driving through Patterson and Walker.

On Feb. 5, between 1:50 and 2:30 p.m., there were 15 apparent near-collisions.

Over the same time period, 10 drivers ran either one or more posted stop signs while one driver made an illegal U-turn in the middle of the street.

One driver went around a seemingly confused motorist and drove on the wrong side of the road. Another driver came about an inch from running into a vehicle, while one pedestrian was nearly hit.

On Feb. 6, between 12:05 and 12:35 p.m., there were 13 apparent near-collisions.

Seventeen drivers ignored one or more posted stop signs, and eight pedestrians were almost hit while trying to cross from one side of Patterson to the other.

Fifteen drivers stopped in the middle of the intersection, including a Memphis police officer who did not move until five other cars had crossed that intersection. The officer then slowly went eastbound on Walker.

Another observation was conducted Feb. 8 between 11:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.

During this period, two trains passed and two drivers sped over the railroad tracks while the crossing arms were coming down. There were also 12 apparent near-collisions during this period.

Eleven drivers ran one or more posted stop signs, and two pedestrians were almost hit while trying to cross from one side of Patterson to the other. Eleven drivers stopped in the middle of the intersection.

A final observation was conducted Wednesday between 10:30 and 11 a.m.

There were two apparent near-collisions, while seven drivers ran one or more posted stop signs.

Five drivers stopped in the middle of the intersection.

One driver stopped and attempted to back up in the intersection, but other cars behind her prevented her from doing so.

City engineer Manoochehi Tanhaee said the amount of traffic has been gauged at the intersection, but said the volume does not warrant a traffic signal.

"We have no plans for a traffic signal," Tanhaee said. "There are no plans for modification either."

Brenda Robertson, a campus commuter, said the intersection seems busy enough to warrant a light.

"It's as busy as most intersections," Robertson said. "It needs a light."

Tanhaee said the intersection does have a large traffic flow, and drivers should be cautioned.

Senior management information systems major Pablo Varela said he is not confused by the intersection.

"Not really," Varela said. "It's just inconvenient -- the fact that some drivers have to wait and some don't have to wait at all."

Students, faculty, staff and commuters alike said when driving they do not know whether to stop, yield, dash or make a quick guess.

"It's confusing," Robertson said. "You don't know when to go or when to stop."

Junior physical education major William Clark said the intersection needs improvement.

"(There) most definitely needs to be a stop light," Clark said. "It's really impossible to tell who got there first."

Clark said the intersection is a danger zone for restless drivers.

"People in a rush try to go too fast," Clark said. "A guy in a rush will shoot out there before it's his turn."

According to traffic control worksheets, the heaviest volume of traffic occurs between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The intersection averages around 2,070 cars at that time. Between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., 1,886 cars were counted traveling through the intersection; between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., 1,475 and between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m., 1,621.

Charles Griffin, program analyst, said when he attended The U of M almost 30 years ago, the site was identical.

"In 1970, it was the same situation," Griffin said. "Ironically, it's no different now than it was then. I've seen people pull out into oncoming traffic, daring it to hit them.

"It's like, 'Get out of my way. Here I come.' Attention needs to be brought to somebody so no one will get hurt."

In agreement with the City Engineering office, Griffin said he does not think a traffic light would be of much assistance.

"I'm not sure a light would work there," Griffin said. "People just need to be more patient."

According to a statement released by a U of M department of public safety officer, drivers are encouraged to use their blinkers to signal which way they are going.

A Memphis Traffic Bureau officer said drivers should be patient and slow down while driving through a busy intersection.

"The main thing to remember is don't assume what the other driver is going to do," the officer said. "Follow all of the rules of driving and slow down."