3 killed in crash on River Road

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to one of the comments in the WP, Pyle Road used to be gated off so that no one could enter or leave that way to or from the HS. I don't know the layout of the school, but is this a possibility again? If there was a gate at that entrance, why was it removed?

Yeah there was. It's on the extension of the service road that is Whitman property, and it is/was closed on school days. It was opened during the weekends and evenings -- I think because a lot of residents used it to cut through to get home. Not sure if they close it now during school days or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Electric car owner here. Wanted to chime in and give facts here that are being misreported. All electric cars like Leaf, Tesla, Volt (has gas back up engine, not a hybrid like a Prius) actually have faster 0-30mph acceleration that most has cars, even a BMW! Little known fact. Makes it really fun to drive in the city as they are super zippy under 30. I can beat any BMW in my Leaf going from red light to red light. Another fact, the 2016 Volt has 0-30 of 2.2 seconds which beats the average BMW of 2.7 and even the fast and expensive Tesla at 2.3 seconds.

Yeah, I drive a leaf too and I don't think the Volt is slower, from the one test drive I did. Unless it is slower on its gasoline engine? But even that--no. A volt is NOT a hybrid. It has an electric motor, and a gasoline generator for that motor for when it runs out of electric charge. It is possible that the driver overestimated the volt's zipping power, and thought he could make the turn--I know that I sometimes count on my leaf being able to outrun anything 0-30 for some of my driving decisions. Which I should stop doing, btw. If anything this horrible accident is a good reminder for us to be careful.

The thing I do think might be worth mentioning is, that the 2016 is a brand new redesign for the Volt. I don't even think they've been selling for more than a few months. They said they had a hard time getting anyone out of the car--I wonder if there are some issues there. There are special protocols for electric cars in accidents. Generally, they are very safe, but--

I am soberly reminded not to try and beat the light--or traffic. My hearts go out to the family.

I drive a Volt, though not the new 2016 version. It's plenty fast, even with all seats occupied, but nonetheless, I wouldn't make a turn where without leaving plenty of room. I used to live in that neighborhood so I made the turns hundreds of times.

[Anonymous]

This is just horrible.

I was recently in a low-speed crash that flipped my car. I was amazed at the force and violence even at that low mph. And it took firemen a long time to get us out and they eventually had to use jaws of life.

Luckily injuries were minor, but it was a big lesson learned for me about how devastating these crashes can be.

[Anonymous]

I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

What will the traffic light solve? Are you proposing a left turn cycle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

Yes. Sorry if that wasn't clear. This spot needs a dedicated left turn signal in both directions and you need room to cross all the way across the streer - there is a community pool on the other side of the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

People become complacent on this road (probably because it seems so straight and with seemingly good visibility). Twice I have been hit from behind on that road by people on their phones (I saw them in my mirror). Something definitely needs to be done to bring speeds down - all the way along that road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Bicyclist-Killed-in-Bethesda-Accident-323203541.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Bicyclist-Killed-in-Bethesda-Accident-323203541.html

That was on Goldsboro Road, not River Road, and there was no intersection involved so a traffic light wouldn't have helped there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

You rarely see people on bikes there because it's a big wide high-speed road that sends a "drive fast here" message to drivers. If the road were friendlier for people on bikes, there would be more people on bikes using the road.

There are also bus stops on both sides of the road, with people crossing 4 lanes plus a median as best they can -- painted but unsignalized crosswalks (that drivers ignore) if they're lucky, nothing at all if they're not.

This is not what a road through Bethesda should be like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

People become complacent on this road (probably because it seems so straight and with seemingly good visibility). Twice I have been hit from behind on that road by people on their phones (I saw them in my mirror). Something definitely needs to be done to bring speeds down - all the way along that road.

That was Massachusetts Avenue - not River Rd. Just clarifying b/c I think it is important to note that not many cyclists use River Road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is her extended family from the DMV? I don't how this poor kid will ever emotionally recover from this. I keep thinking of all the milestones in her life for which she'll be alone. I wonder if she'll get to stay at her school - or if she'd want to - or if her relatives are located someplace else and she'd have to move there. So sad for this child.

They are here. The drivers brother is also a doctor. I won't mention how I know them but I've know them decades. She has a loving local extended family that will see her through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive this road all the time; a change in speed limit truly isn't required - there are no sidewalks along River, few residences that abut the road and huge medians throughout. The few schools on River have entrances well into their property and no child is at risk right at the roadside. What is needed is a LIGHT at this particular spot.

And cyclists? How much room do they have? I'd say get the light AND reduce the speed.

HUGE shoulders. 4 lines pretty much everywhere. In fact, the only place there are cyclists are way up on river (near poolseville), where it's a 2 lane rd and it's very curvy. I think cyclists don't belong up there, given how twisty and hilly and how little visibility there is for cars.

But on this part of River, I rarely see bikes.

People become complacent on this road (probably because it seems so straight and with seemingly good visibility). Twice I have been hit from behind on that road by people on their phones (I saw them in my mirror). Something definitely needs to be done to bring speeds down - all the way along that road.

That was Massachusetts Avenue - not River Rd. Just clarifying b/c I think it is important to note that not many cyclists use River Road.

Why? Fear of death, considering the conditions?