In all likelihood, the accident that claimed the life of physics graduate student Abhishek Singh could not have been prevented. Singh was simply at the wrong place at the very worst of times.
But just because this tragedy was a freak accident does not mean the city should treat it that way. The city should take swift action to make the Richland Avenue and state Route 682 area safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
This accident, which occurred June 30, should not have been the city's first notice that this area, particularly the intersection, is hazardous. According to an article in last week's Summer Post, the intersection was ranked the 78th most dangerous intersection in Ohio in 2003. Without something serious to base this ranking, however, the city should not be faulted for taking little action at the time.
Now is the time.
The city should take the first'and easiest'step and appeal to the State to reduce the speed limit on state Route 682. As it stands now, drivers on 682 can travel up to 50 mph through the Richland intersection, which is completely unnecessary and dangerous considering the amount of foot traffic that crosses daily. Athens residents and Ohio University students are prone to jaywalking, making for a dangerous situation every time an absent-minded speeder comes tearing around the bend by the Ridges.
At Monday's City Council meeting, Kellen Murphy, a co-worker of Singh's, proposed that the city should place rumble strips and flashing lights to warn drivers of the approaching intersection, among other long- and short-term safety improvements. Following through with Murphy's requests would show that the city is serious about fixing the problem, but doing so should not be viewed as the final solution. Foot traffic is only going to increase in this area as the university continues to implement more programs at the Ridges, meriting a speed reduction in the area.
Council should also take steps to ensure better safety for pedestrians walking along Richland bridge.
The SUV that allegedly hit Singh and sent him over the edge into the Hocking River left marks 5 feet long on the bridge's guardrails. Guardrails situated on both sides of the elevated sidewalk may have prevented these marks from ever being made.
These new rails would also benefit bicyclists, who are now just one misstep away from falling into the path of oncoming traffic. And while the addition of rails may not be at all aesthetically pleasing, that hardly trumps the added safety it would provide.
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