To the Editor:

The basic problem with the Route 37 exit onto Post Road north is the blind spot created at the “Yield” sign. Post Road traffic can be seen while negotiating the exit’s curve, but at the sign the merge lane is too short and there is no easy way to ascertain the location of oncoming vehicles. As a result, many motorists simply stop and edge forward till the lane and traffic is visible in the side mirror. Unfortunately, impatient drivers behind them blithely ignore traffic stopped in front, causing the numerous fender-benders noted in a recent Beacon story.
However, I see a solution. At that point the shoulder is wide enough for a longer merge lane (it becomes a right turn lane for Belise Motors – and how did that happen?). A simple repainting of the roadway to indicate a longer merge lane would allow exiting traffic an opportunity for a more reasonable merge.
A similar merge lane is now in use at the Reservoir Avenue north exit, which used to have almost the same problem. So let’s get out the paint cans and make the road safer.

Barry Nordin
Warwick