BERLIN, Md. -- County officials have identified a few intersections that could benefit from traffic lights. One is in Berlin, another is in Pocomoke and both have seen their fair share of accidents and congestion.
The Berlin intersection is Stephen Decatur Highway and Assateague Road. Just one lonely stop sign controls the flow of traffic there. During the summer that area sees a lot of traffic whether it's people heading towards Assateague or West Ocean City.
Neighbors who live right near that intersection said the congestion can be unbearable.
"I have been personally stuck in this little intersection upwards of like 15 minutes just waiting for people to turn left just because there's so much speeding traffic coming from either Assateague or Ocean City," said Austin Fisher.
On top of that, Greg Howard said he's seen various accidents.
"I have seen more accidents here in the last ten years it's been crazy, I mean cars flipped over, trash trucks in the woods," said Howard.
It is why those neighbors are clamoring for a change.
"They just need a light, period," said Howard.
Jeremy Kelser agrees.
"Possibly a stop light, if not some other alternative method," said Kelser.
Kelser and Fisher who both live on Assateague Road have said getting out of their driveway on a busy summer day can also be a pain.
Commissioner Eric Fiori said after a recent meeting with the Maryland Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration, there is a good chance it happens.
"I would say pretty close to the upper 90 percentile," said Fiori. "Now when exactly, again this is going to depend on MDOT engineers and how quick they can make this intersection and how quick they can draw this up to make it safe for everybody."
In the last five years, 10 crashes have occurred at the Stephen Decatur Highway and Assateague Road intersection according the SHA. The accidents lead to seven injuries and zero deaths. After conducting a traffic signal warrant analysis, SHA tells WBOC the intersection does warrant a three-way traffic signal.
Moving down to the Pocomoke intersection, which Ocean Highway and Stockton Road. Commissioners said new signage has been installed over recent years, such as "look both ways" reminders. There are also flashing yellow and red lights.
But Commissioner Caryn Abbott said a traffic study conducted over the past two years shows more needs to be done.
"The traffic study that was most recent showed over 20 accidents, all being T-bones which is a very serious type of accident," said Abbott. "We've had two more at least since that."
Abbott said construction on a new development near that intersection is slated to begin in 2024. So she hopes a permanent light can be added either before or during that construction.