Landmark ADA Settlement Reached in Traffic Roundabouts Lawsuit

In March 2008, Attorney Richard Bernstein successfully negotiated a ground-breaking legal agreement with the Oakland County Commission, which could increase pedestrian safety at traffic roundabouts in Michigan and throughout the nation.

Richard Bernstein filed the federal lawsuit in August 2007, claiming that the County was building roundabouts that prevented disabled citizens from safely crossing these busy intersections.

The lawsuit asserted that the County was violating the Americans With Disabilities Act, because its road construction plans lack stoplights or other mechanisms necessary for the blind, people in wheelchairs, and others with disabilities to safely cross the street.

After months of litigation, the County agreed to install special safety equipment, so that pedestrians - with or without disabilities - can activate traffic signals to stop traffic, and get visual and audio confirmation that vehicles actually stopped, before crossing roundabout intersections.

The March 27, 2009 Court Order requires the County to install the HAWK and Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon safety systems in June of this year. Tests will be conducted before and after installation of the safety equipment to monitor pedestrian and vehicle volume and the effectiveness of the safety systems. A final report will be issued through Western Michigan University.

This landmark installation of the state-of-the-art signaling technology in Oakland County is being closely watched nationally. It will set the standard for roundabout safety features for pedestrians throughout the country.