Opposing Attorneys Ready for Roundabout Rumble

Observer Eccentric

By Larry Ruehlen, Staff Writer
August 30, 2007

Richard Bernstein runs marathons, yet fears crossing roundabouts - at least the kind that will soon open in West Bloomfield. For that reason, he's preparing for a protracted legal fight to make roundabouts safe for the disabled.

"I can't believe it," Bernstein said. "The road commission hired the fanciest law firm in town and has four attorneys assigned to the case, all at taxpayers' expense. We do this pro bono. We're not worried, though. We've fought people a lot more powerful than the road commission."

Bernstein is blind. He regularly sues institutions over accessibility issues and has a strong track record in the courts. He filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit over a series of roundabouts being built in Oakland County. He says they violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. He wants the commission to install special traffic lights.

The signals, already in use in Washington and other parts of the country, beep so a blind person can locate the button that activates a red light. A recorded message then says, "It is safe to cross the road."

The first roundabout at Maple and Drake will open within a week or so, depending on the weather.

The Road Commission for Oakland County maintains that roundabouts are safe for all pedestrians to cross.

Bloomfield Hills-based Dickinson Wright represents the RCOC.

Dianne Hersey, RCOC attorney, said she can't comment on pending litigation.

"But we are always willing to sit down and talk about a possible settlement," she said. "He knows the number of our attorney."