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Crossing dangerous, horse riders say
(by Sue Reid - August 17, 2011)
Crossing dangerous, horse riders say
By SUE REID
About 15 horse riders attended Solon City Council's safety and public properties committee meeting last week to make an appeal regarding sight-distance issues associated with the horse crossing on SOM Center Road (Route 91) at Hawthorn Parkway.
The horse trail runs through the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation.
"It's not a matter of if there is going to be an accident," Solon resident and horse rider Tess McCarihan said, "but when." She said the horse riders are not the only ones in danger but rather anyone crossing at that intersection.
"We've had a lot of close calls lately, and it's not just with horses," Ms. McCarihan said.
"As much as we'd like to make this a horse issue, it encompasses so much more," horse rider Butch Kabb said. "The biggest issue is enforcement," he said. "The potential for a fatality at that intersection is phenomenal."
Although the crossing is properly marked, the sight distance from both sides of SOM Center Road is restricted when looking north due to a hill in the road and some vegetation, Solon traffic engineer Kevin Westbrooks explained. Also, he said, southbound drivers have a limited view of the crossing until they go over the hill.
Ray Hephner, a horse doctor from Walton Hills who was in attendance at the meeting, said he deals with a lot of horse and buggy accidents in his business. "It's not pretty picking up the pieces," he said.
Dr. Hephner said he has kept horses in Solon for 25 years and rides trails regularly. The crossing at SOM Center Road "is the worst of the bunch," he said.
"Ultimately, a light will have to be the solution," Dr. Hephner said.
Because SOM Center Road is a state route, he continued, "it's going to have to be a multiple approach from all three entities," the state, the city and the Metroparks.
Mr. Westbrooks told the committee he met with the riders at the crossing, and they explained their concerns. They also have a unique difficulty compared to pedestrians or bikes, he said. Particularly with large trucks on SOM Center Road, the riders have to wait back farther from the road so that the horses do not get startled. Also, the riders typically travel in groups, and they require a large gap in traffic.
"If they do not cross as a group, the riders have to fight the horses' urge to run into traffic to be with the other horses," Mr. Westbrooks said. "These issues, combined with the visibility, the driver issues and volume of traffic, make this a true concern for riders."
Mr. Kabb suggested the possibility of a traffic light there.
Mr. Westbrooks said it would not be warranted. "A signal would solve a big part of the problem, but a signal there is not warranted," he said. "It has to meet certain criteria," he said.
"We are struggling with what could actually make an impact and bring attention to the crossing," Mr. Westbrooks said. "I want to make sure that any recommendation that is made is meaningful and useful." He said he hopes to bring some sort of recommendation to the committee by next month.
"It's a safety hazard waiting to happen," Councilman Edward H. Kraus said. "We need to take a look and focus on that area."
Police Chief Christopher P. Viland said he does not disagree with any of the issues raised by the residents. "It's a difficult intersection, not just for horses, but for bikers, walkers and cross traffic," Mr. Viland said. Mr. Viland noted that while pedestrians have the right of way, mounted riders and mounted bicyclists do not.
"Drivers have a hard time making that distinction," Mr. Viland said. "We have to keep that in mind."
A person on a horse has to follow the same rules as a motor vehicle and is not considered a pedestrian, he said.
If the city would do something in that area for the pedestrians, "you'd help everyone," Ms. McCarihan said. "We're not asking solutions just for us."
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