First Selectman Reminds Drivers to Share the Road

First Selectman Reminds Drivers to Share the Road

FROM THE FIRST SELECTMAN’S OFFICE

December 11, 2012

Bethel Cycle and Bethel PD Announce New “Share the Road” Program

Bethel, Conn. -  The Town of Bethel and Bethel Cycle Sport LLC today announced a  partnership designed to help improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists using Bethel roadways.  The program involves placing unique new safety message signs designed to increase driver attentiveness to other modes of transportation being used on heavily traveled roads.  The cost of the new signage was paid entirely through a donation by Bethel Cycle Sport.

The new signs carry the proclamation “Share the Road – Live and Let Live” and depict images of a car, a pedestrian and a cyclist.  The program’s theme and the design and locations of the signs were developed jointly by Lt. Richard Dickinson, Bethel Police Departments’ Traffic Safety Officer and Mr. Norman Semchyshen of Bethel Cycle.

Lt. Dickinson explained that New England roadways have traditionally been designed almost exclusively for automobiles, and rarely take other uses into consideration.  Because of that, he said, there is insufficient room, leading some drivers to express their annoyance through unsafe driving.  The placement of the new signs on key roads will serve as a reminder that drivers should expect to expect to see walkers, joggers and cyclists.  In total, 14 signs were placed in highly visible locations on several of Bethel’s busiest roadways.