Is This the Most Dangerous Yield Sign in the Hudson Valley?
A yield sign has been baffling drivers for years and causing too many accidents and near-misses to count.
Anyone who's familiar with Route 9 in Poughkeepsie knows to watch out for drivers entering the roadway near the Mid Hudson Bridge.
On the southbound side of Route 9 there is an entrance from Main Street that feeds directly onto the highway marked with a yield sign. Those who are unfamiliar with the area may assume that slowing down and "yielding" will give them the ability to check their mirror or look behind as they merge into traffic. That's just not the case.
The entrance abruptly ends at the yield and goes directly into Route 9, with no room to slowly merge. Anyone who thinks they can roll into traffic learns quickly that they're already in the way, causing a dangerous situation for everyone.
Because of the entrance lane's angle, drivers entering Route 9 cannot see behind them well enough to be able to yield. A full stop is pretty much necessary for any car entering Route 9. With another tricky cloverleaf of entrances and exits on the lefthand lane just feet away from this one, the area is a nightmare for even the most careful driver.
Why this entrance doesn't have a stop sign instead of a yield is something I've wondered forever. If anyone has successfully yielded at this entrance to Route 9 I'd love to hear how they did it.
We're sure this is just one of the many areas of the Hudson Valley with frustrating road signs. If you have an intersection that drives you nuts, let us know about it. You can post yours on our Facebook page or in the comments section below.