A 68-year-old man was injured Sunday evening after he was struck by a car while he walked through the crosswalk on Park Road at Batavia Downs.
Douglas Aiken, of Morrow Road, Pavilion, was taken by a Mercy EMS ambulance to the Genesee County Airport and then transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital.
Aiken was alert and conscious at the time of transport, according to Sgt. Greg Walker, Sheriff's Office. Walker said Morrow complained of head and shoulder pain. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening. He was taken to Strong as a precaution given the nature of the accident.
The driver, David L. Reeb, 60, of Corfu, had slowed while approaching the crosswalk, but did not stop, Walker said.
Reeb was cited for alleged failure to yield to a pedestrian.
A 10-year-old passenger in Reeb's station wagon was not injured, nor was Reeb.
Walker said the accident was the first car-pedestrian accident he can remember at the crosswalk outside Batavia Downs since the Downs reopened.
This makes me very sad. Every
This makes me very sad. Every day my son and I have to ride our bikes places, and honestly people almost hit us atleast once a day.
Ironic or prophetic, just
Ironic or prophetic, just commented yesterday as we drove by there that I couldn't believe there hadn't been an accident there yet. It's a bad spot, something better and safer should be done to get the patrons across the street.
Maybe a round-about should be
Maybe a round-about should be built there!!
*please note sarcasim*
Here's a thought - how about
Here's a thought - how about people pay attention, slow down, have respect. All of that is free~!!! (at least at this point)
At one time there was talk
At one time there was talk about building a pedistrian bridge across the road. However, with plans in the works to move the whole operation to the first floor, I don't know the status of the above. I have to agree that the current set up is dangerous. I am very surprised that somebody has not been killed or seriously injured.
It may not be a very
It may not be a very desirable job in the winter, but maybe they should put a crossing guard out there. I almost hit a woman last night. I stopped at the crosswalk, but it was raining, dark and she was wearing very dark clothing. I didn't see her until I started to move again.
It wasn't her fault, wasn't my fault; I just couldn't see her. A crossing guard would have fixed that problem.
I guess a crossing guard
I guess a crossing guard couldn't hurt, especially on the busier nights, but it really shouldn't be necessary if both sides (drivers and pedestrians) would just be more careful.
I must say though, the entire area IS rather distracting, especially at night when it rains (like the night of the accident) with all the different colored lights reflecting all over. Their new electronic billboard probably doesn't help things either. Seems like it flashes into full view just as you are coming up to the crossing. I could definitely see someone being distracted by that.
Definitely need something
Definitely need something there. I have been through there countless times waiting for some extremely slow walkers to get across, only to wait for more extremely slow walkers to cross. I haven't looked at the side of the Batavia Downs closes to TOPS but, would there be enough room to make a parking lot for people there? So, you wouldn't have the need for such a large amount of people crossing the street? I have never seen the parking lot across from the Downs so full, that it wouldn't be impossible.
The story says the driver
The story says the driver slowed down, but didn't stop. The speed limit there is, I believe, 35 MPH. The WINDSHIELD on the CAR is broken - I wonder what speed the driver going and what he SLOWED DOWN TO ????? Hard to believe the windshield would break under 35 MPH.
What about a traffic light of
What about a traffic light of sorts to direct traffic and help try to control people crossing? I know as a driver, sometimes I get stuck there (for what seems like forever--which is probably only a couple of minutes) because I wait for one group of people to take their time and cross and then another group of people takes their time and crosses and then after that another couple of people go to cross. It can be very frustrating and I'm sure some people probably hit the gas whenever they feel like they might actually get their window of opportunity...or their "Frogger" moment.
Actually Irene, the window
Actually Irene, the window was broken due to the speed of the car and weigh of the individual. Think about a gravel stone that chips and cracks your windshield, now picture a human hitting it. If the driver was traveling at 35 MPH he would probably had a passenger added to his front seat.
I feel as though each person
I feel as though each person involved here has to bear some of the blame. Many times I have used Park Road and the patrons of the Downs do not stop or look to see if the traffic has stopped. The cars are suppose to stop but a person can stop for a monment to make sure the car has stopped. This also happens at Wal-Mart, Kmart and Tops, People do not take a moment to look. I hope the person injured recovers from this. I also feel that the Downs need to look at the situation and make it safer for all Lets all take some time to slow down and enjoy this holiday season, it only takes a moment to ruin people lives.
Without a doubt this is
Without a doubt this is twofold. I drive and walk across there. I cannot tell you how many drivers speed through that walkway. Drivers need to slow down, pedestrians need to pay attention. Wait for the vehicle to stop before walking across. On a dark night, people wear dark clothes, hard to see.
I think the Batavia Downs
I think the Batavia Downs should consider building a escalator entrance in the parking lot to go into a covered bridge walkway that would directly into the level at Batavia Downs and that would solve the whole crossing issue. They have the money to spend.
The only solution that would
The only solution that would make any sense is to keep people and traffic away from each other at that location.
If 99.9% of pedestrians are alert and aware, and 99.9% of drivers slow down, there is still a chance for an accident. It has to be idiot proofed, common sense doesn't work.
It needs to be more lit
It needs to be more lit up...Hard to see people crossing at nite...Especially when it raining...Back in the day when they only had racing there they always had someone directing traffic at that crossway.....The Downs should have some blame in this...They need to make it safe for all.........Those big screen TV the put up outside are a big distraction.....How in the world did the town or city allow for those signs in the first place..They should come down....
That option was considered a
That option was considered a couple of years ago. However, the latest plans envolves moving the complete gaming operation to the Paddock area on the first floor.