Why a Birmingham Resident Calls a Neighborhood Intersection ‘an Accident Waiting to Happen’
Families living near the intersection of Eton and Sheffield in Birmingham say crossing the street is dangerous because many drivers ignore stop signs. This four-way stop, located close to Woodward and West 14 Mile, has raised safety concerns among residents.
Resident Concerns
Kimberly, a local resident, described the intersection as “an accident waiting to happen.” She and other neighbors reported that drivers often speed and fail to fully stop, putting pedestrians—especially children and families—at risk.
Observation at the Intersection
Local 4 visited the area on a weekday morning and, while they did not witness speeding, they observed several drivers performing a slow roll through the stop signs rather than stopping completely.
“I try to avoid this intersection if I can, but sometimes you just can’t avoid it,” said Kimberly. “We have a lot of people walking their dogs, putting their strollers, jogging and biking. People are flying through the intersection and they’re not paying any attention to people around them.”
Speeding Issues
The speed limit near the intersection is 25 mph, but many drivers exceed it. Tim, Kimberly’s husband, commented on the danger caused by fast drivers in the residential neighborhood.
“When I’m driving along here, most people are driving much faster than that,” said Tim. “I’ve been passed on Eaton in the residential area doing 25. They’re very dangerous.”
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
Kimberly shared her anxiety about crossing the street and the impact on neighborhood life.
“I’m paranoid when I have to cross here,” said Kimberly. “We walk the neighborhood a lot and it scares me.”
The couple believes implementing changes could enhance safety in the area.