Flashing stop signs installed

Safety measures taken on Route 44 at site of fatal crash

The Ohio Department of Transportation is implementing intermediate safety measures at the site of a fatal crash in Geauga County.

Flashing stop signs were installed June 15 on either side of Route 44 at the Hosford Road intersection in Chardon Township. They are to begin operating June 16.

“Any time that there is a severe crash or fatal incident in an intersection or stretch of highway, we look at potential ways to reduce the number of crashes in that area,” District 12 Spokeswoman Amanda McFarland said.

She added that the signs — replacing regular stop signs — will be in place permanently, unless a study to be conducted in the fall indicates that a traffic signal is warranted at the intersection.

Chardon High School graduates Jackson Condon, 17, of Chardon, and Dominic Ricci, 18, of Huntsburg Township, died after a June 6 crash in which the westbound Toyota Prius driven by Condon failed to stop at a stop sign at Hosford and 44 and was hit by a southbound Sterling commercial truck, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. Authorities said no alcohol, drugs or cellphone use were suspected in the

crash, which occurred at 12: 25 p.m.

“The lights flashing around the edges just draw more attention to the signs,” McFarland

said.

Although the lights won’t be as prominent during the day, they still will be visible to motorists, she said.

The signs total $3,000. A traffic signal could run more than $100,000, according to a Chardon official.

Ohio’s warrants for justifying

traffic control signals are:

• Eight-hour vehicular volume

• Four-hour vehicular volume • Peak hour • Pedestrian volume • School crossing • Coordinated signal system • Crash experience • Roadway network • Intersection near a grade crossing

“Not all nine warrants need to be met for a traffic signal to be installed,” McFarland said. “At least … one, two or three must be met; however, engineering judgment is also used to determine if that is enough to consider the location.”

Since 2011, there have been 24 crashes resulting in three serious injuries at the intersection, not including the June 6 incident, according to ODOT data.

The study is to be completed once school resumes in order to have the best representation of traffic flows at peak volumes.