Following a downtown traffic accident last week, Flossmoor announced increased safety measures at the Sterling Avenue traffic circle between the north entrance to the Metra station and the post office.
In an Aug. 30 post on the Flossmoor Facebook page, village officials said the safety improvements will include the removal of some vegetation and crosswalks, the funneling of pedestrian traffic into the circle from the south end only and the relocation of the drive-up mailbox to a less congested location. Those improvements will be added in the next few months to increase visibility and safety.
“The village shares the community’s concern that downtown Flossmoor patrons were involved in a car/pedestrian accident last evening near the traffic circle,” the Facebook post says.
According to Flossmoor Deputy Police Chief Tod Kamleiter, the accident took place Aug. 29 when an inattentive driver struck a mother and her two children while they were crossing from the traffic island to the post office corner.
The victims were treated on the scene for minor injuries, Kamleiter said, and the driver was issued a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian.
Following the accident, Flossmoor Facebook users weighed in with their opinions on the traffic island, a location where heavy auto and pedestrian traffic come together in a sometimes frightening mix.
“Drivers tend to treat stopping at the sign on Sterling and the one outside the post office as optional,” said one person on Facebook. “Often the pedestrians crossing the street from the train are plugged into their devices and not paying attention.”
The village post said the traffic circle has been the subject of debate for a few years on ways in which to improve pedestrian and driver safety.
“While the Village has placed additional signage over the years and recently striped the crosswalks, we agree this is not enough,” the post says.
The village also reminded drivers to be watchful for pedestrians and bikers, especially during school arrival hours, school dismissal hours and commuter times.
“Remember to slow down and share the road.”