Car Hits Land Park Home at Intersection with New 4-Way Stop Signs

Dec 2, 2024 at 6:13 AM
In Sacramento, a disturbing incident occurred when a car crashed into a home in the Land Park area. This happened at the very intersection where a four-way stop sign was recently put in place. The time was just after midnight on Friday, November 22, at 2nd Avenue and Land Park Drive. The couple living there shared a harrowing experience, stating that if they had been sitting in their living room with their seven-month-old baby at that moment, the crash could have been fatal. Thankfully, no one was injured, but it has led to questions about whether these newly installed stop signs are truly beneficial or causing more harm.

"The Intersection Conundrum: Stop Signs and Car Crashes in Land Park"

Initial Installation and Community's Wait

President of the Land Park Community Association, Kristina Rogers, revealed that it took over 10 years for the city to install the four-way stop sign at this particular intersection. Tracy Principi, who lives at the corner of the intersection, expressed a constant fear that one day a car would come crashing through the living room. This long wait and the subsequent crash have raised concerns among the community.

It is clear that the installation of the stop sign was a long-awaited measure. The community had been advocating for it for a significant period, hoping to enhance safety. However, the recent crash has brought to light the need for a more comprehensive approach to traffic safety in the area.

The Aftermath and Community Reaction

The homeowner shared a video with CBS 13 showing the chaos left behind. Chunks of concrete flew, and the front window glass of the house shattered, leaving a mess in the front lawn and living room. This visual evidence of the crash has further emphasized the severity of the situation.

Neighbors like Rogers have been deeply affected by this incident. They are now questioning the effectiveness of the stop signs and looking for alternative solutions. The community is in a state of unease, wondering if more needs to be done to prevent such accidents from happening again.

Driver Behavior and the Need for Enforcement

Sacramento Police confirmed that the driver did not stop at the stop sign and was clearly going fast enough to break through a concrete wall. This has led some neighbors to believe that the stop signs may create a false sense of safety. They argue that there needs to be a better solution, starting with stricter speeding enforcement.

Rogers emphasized that when drivers speed, nothing seems to slow them down until they see a police car or a motorcycle. The sight of a law enforcement vehicle makes them realize that they will get a ticket, and that is what ultimately slows them down. This highlights the importance of having a visible police presence to deter speeding.

Community's Call for Action

Neighbors who have been demanding change for over a decade do not want to see a similar crash with more severe consequences. The Land Park Community Association, under the leadership of Kristina Rogers, is committed to working with Councilmember Rick Jennings to add speed bumps, more stop signs, and hopefully install roundabouts. However, the cost of installing roundabouts is a significant concern, as it is about a million dollars more than stop signs.

The community is united in their desire for improved traffic safety. They understand that simply installing stop signs may not be enough and are willing to explore other options to make their neighborhood safer. The recent crash has served as a wake-up call, and they are determined to take action to prevent future incidents.