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Nicholasville discusses right‑turn‑only restriction at York and Maple after data show multiple collisions
Summary
Commissioners examined collision data for the York Street/Maple Street area and discussed possible changes including right‑turn‑only restrictions, removing parking, or installing a physical island; staff will return recommendations at a future meeting.
City staff and commissioners on April 14 discussed traffic-safety concerns at the York Street and Maple Street intersection after a resident reported a crash involving a child.
The police chief reported that, since April 1, 2020, the city logged 24 collisions at the York/Maine vicinity; seven of those collisions involved injuries and the chief said 13 people were injured in those incidents. By comparison, the chief said other local intersections such as Miles and Maple recorded fewer collisions in the same period. Staff and commissioners said the data supported prioritizing York for mitigation.
Options discussed included making York turn movements right-only at Maple (preventing left turns across Maple), removing some on-street parking to improve sightlines, constructing a physical island or curb treatment to deter illegal crossings, or installing concrete barriers or posts. One commissioner framed the choice as “inconvenience versus safety,” noting drivers could use alternate nearby streets such as Chestnut or Walnut. Another speaker warned painted restrictions alone are difficult to enforce and recommended a physical island so motorists “can drive over” but are deterred from cutting across.
Commissioners directed staff (Tim and the police chief) to develop specific recommendations and return with proposals at the next meeting. No regulatory change was adopted on April 14; the discussion was advisory and staff-driven follow-up was requested.
