Ric Grant, the postmaster at the Indianola Post Office, is sounding the alarm over a hazardous four-way intersection near the city’s post office.
Located at 100 West Percy Street, the intersection, where Percy Street meets Catchings Avenue to the north and Front Avenue to the south, has been the site of three accidents involving postal vehicles since Grant took over his position, he said.
The latest incident occurred on January 25, leading Grant to voice his concerns about the safety of mail carriers and the general public at this intersection.
“It’s just a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt,” Grant told The Enterprise-Tocsin in an interview. “Drivers don’t seem to realize the rules of the road at this staggered junction. Those coming from the south often don’t know they’re supposed to stop.”
The intersection appears to have traditional four-way stop rules, which means that drivers entering the crossing must stop and yield right-of-way to whomever stopped first.
The postmaster expressed frustration over a lack of action to address the dangerous conditions.
He suggested that the city might need to consider enhanced signage, such as “Offset Intersection Ahead” signs and clearer lane markings to guide drivers safely through the area.
“Maybe we need an elevated stop sign or some kind of warning beacons,” Grant proposed. “”There has to be a solution to this problem before it leads to a tragic outcome. The safety of our mail carriers and residents is at stake.”
The Indianola community is encouraged to participate in discussions about improving safety at this intersection, with hopes that proactive measures will soon be implemented.
