Busy intersection worries pedestrians

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- It seems that downtown Stratford is a dangerous place for walkers: one person has been hit and killed by a car and a half dozen others have been hurt, all near Main Street.

"It's like every time you turn on the news you hear about someone being hit by a car lately," said Andy Saltourides, Paradise Shoe Repair. "I don't know it's crazy."

He's even seen a fair share of them with his own eyes. His store is right by a busy crosswalk on Main Street where people have been hit crossing the street.

"They just come by here speeding, there's people trying to cross," said Saltourides. "Some of them stop, some of them don't."

Saltourides and others News 8 spoke with say they don't dare step into the crosswalk until they see a car come to a complete stop.

"It took a while, there was trucks and a lot of traffic coming through, so it took a few minutes," said Mary Fiorini, of Stratford. "I could have zipped in front of someone, but I didn't want to take the chance."

According to state law, as soon as a pedestrian enters a crosswalk cars must slow down and stop for that person. However, if that person is outside of the cross walk, all the rules change.

"When pedestrians are crossing and they're not in a crosswalk they have to yield the right of way to vehicles that are traveling around the roadway," said Lt. Frank Eannotti, Stratford Police Department.

It's something he says pedestrians need to be more aware of. As for the crosswalks, Eannotti says town hall is looking into making them more visible to drivers.

"I've said it before they should put some kind of light or something here," said Saltourides. "I know there's one down the street, but this is where most of the people do the crossing."

"I think it'd be a good idea to light up the areas around the businesses, especially where the restaurants are," said Eannotti. "I think it would add safety to both pedestrians and vehicles."