Living in Chaumont, I frequently travel on Route 12E to Watertown. I would like to comment on the intersection of 12E and Cemetery Road by General Brown High School.

The speed limit during school hours is 45 mph in that area. I slow down to 35 mph whether school is in session or not because I have seen numerous near-accidents, read and know of accidents there and was almost involved in one myself.

Months ago I was approaching that intersection coming from Watertown. It was about the time that school was dismissed. There was someone stopped at the stop sign on Cemetery Road by the school, on my right. I had slowed down to 35 mph. Just as I was about to enter the intersection, the driver, who seemed to be looking down, pulled right out.

I can only thank my lucky stars and 45-plus years of driving experience, because in an instant I knew that if I had applied my brakes I would surely have hit them. So I quickly sped up and went out into the oncoming lane to go around the front of them. I got back in my own lane, heart pounding and looked in my rearview mirror. I had missed that car by no more than an inch. They were just stopped and sitting in the middle of the intersection, probably as shocked as I was.

I don’t know why that intersection is such a problem. Visibility is fine, and there is a blinking caution light. All I can guess is that people are distracted. Texting? Calling someone on their cell phone? Who knows.

I would just like to beg people to please put aside any gadgets or pressing thoughts when you get behind the wheel of a car. It’s so worth it to stay safe and not put others in harm’s way. Otherwise, in the blink of an eye your car could be totalled, and you could end up in the hospital or worse.

Danna Moles

Chaumont

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