Need Help! Very Dangerous Intersection at Claiborne Pkwy + Ridgeway/Wynridge Drive

^^^ This ^^^

The Waxpool/Ashburn Village intersection by Gold's is like Thunderdome.

 

Saw poles and traffic lights going up on waxpool by Golds... finally!

 

On Monday night I was taking one of the T8ertots to a sports practice at 6:30pm or so (very busy crazy time at this intersection) and I saw a young-ish
boy (age 10-12) on a small skateboard come down Wynridge from Mill Run IN THE ROAD and he barely stopped at the stop sign at Claiborne. He stumbled off his skateboard and then stood there for a minute before dashing across Claiborne toward the townhouses as if in a game of Frogger.

Like T8erman, I'm not in the business of telling other people how to parent their kids.

I am in the business of telling T8ertot #1 that if I ever found out he tried to cross that intersection (and if he survived it) he would likely be confined to his room for an extended period of time with no devices and a diet consisting of gruel.

 

I am with you on this! What you did is what I would do....point out whats going on (not just telling parents 'how' to parent but 'pointing' out whats the situation going on then teaching own kids and what you'd do if you busted your own kid doing same.

I saw two kids skating the other day in the middle of the road near townhouses right before Broadlands Plaza and kids were swerving around on road and another car in front of me stopped afraid to proceed because didnt want to hit the kids. What were they doing in the street sans helmets? *smdh*

Likewise at the top of the hill on ridgeway drive, some of the kids often speed down the hill on the street with no helmets too. I shudder to think what will the results look like if the kids aren't paying attention and run smack into a moving car with no helmets on nor any protective equipment on arms and knees. I have seen some close calls....its just a matter of time. Too, like you said, I am not telling the parents HOW to parent the kids, only pointing out what dangerous situation is happening and educating my kid on the dangers and what the consequences and punishment would be in our household.

Hope the kids stay safe for the parent's sake!

I

 

I have not had many problems there in 6.5 years. Most of the time the issue is left turn people not understanding they go last after the folks going straight or a right turner on the other side.

Only close call I have has was a kid on a bike on the street blowing the stop sign, yes I expected him to stop like the law says he has too, I should have known a 10-12 year old is not going to stop.

I have seen people not familiar with the area blow the 4 way stops several times but not when someone was in the intersection.

 

Rather than push for a new light there, the HOA should get VDOT to install cameras in all four directions and post signs below all four stop signs that tell drivers they are being recorded. And they should be recorded. Technology allows this today. Then, if anyone notices anyone running a stop sign or violating Virginia laws on crossing at 4-ways stops (and the rules ARE clear on this), they can just call and report the time of the observed incident to the Loudoun County Sheriff's department who can then examine the video and issue a ticket to the errant drivers if the report proves to be true. Hopefully the knowledge they are being recorded will be a deterrent to many and a reminder to others to re-familiarize themselves with the rules for 4-ways. I dislike the idea of Big Brother, but I dislike injured or killed school kids even more!!

FYI, Virginia traffic code on yielding to those on the right that arrive at about the same time you do applies:

§ 46.2-820. Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, generally.

Except as otherwise provided in this article, when two vehicles approach or enter an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

Of course, this means if someone gets to the intersection before you do, from any direction, you must left him or her go first. Then let the person who got there at the same time as you who is to the right of you go next, and then finally you can go. I know it is a hard concept to grasp for some of you.....imagine actually putting someone other than yourself first...

 

Who got there first was who stopped at the white line first. I have never seen all sides show at one time, three at most and the guy most right goes first.

However I notice that the people on Claiborne do not like giving right of way to the folks on the other roads, they seem to think there is some sort of main road rule that does not exist.

 

I completely agree with this post and believe that eventually, we will get a light there since there is a lot of traffic going through and it will eventually get worse. I have witnessed many speeders along that road, those who slow down but don't actually stop, and those who don't even bother to stop when they are are turning onto Ridgeway. This is also a huge problem at the toll road and Wyndridge, as another person has already posted. As well as within the neighborhood, at intersection of Stone Hollow and Ridgeway. All drivers need to be focused when driving a 1000+ lb. vehicle, especially in a neighborhood. Perhaps they think that STOP is just a suggestion.