A growing number of residents in Gustine are voicing concerns about the safety of the four-way intersection at Main Street, Fourth Avenue, and Fifth Street, following a series of alarming close calls.

One recent incident involving a black Nissan has left many residents wondering whether the city’s planned roundabout, set to be installed after the current road project, could finally put an end to the danger.

The latest close call occurred just last week when a black Nissan failed to stop at the Fourth Avenue stop sign, setting off a chain reaction of near-disaster. A minivan, traveling quickly down Main Street, swerved sharply to avoid the Nissan, barely missing a truck headed in the opposite direction. The situation could have easily resulted in a serious collision, but fortunately, no one was harmed.

"I was just walking down the street when it happened," said Emma Sanchez, who witnessed the incident. "The Nissan didn’t even try to stop. The minivan had to swerve so fast, I thought for sure it was going to hit the truck. It was so close, my heart stopped for a second."

Another witness, Marcus Perez, who regularly walks through the area, provided additional details about the incident. "The truck that almost got hit belongs to the guy who runs the business next to the post office," he said. "It all happened in just a few seconds. The Nissan ran the stop sign, and the minivan barely had time to get out of the way. It could’ve been really bad."

These near-misses have become all too common at the intersection, with many residents expressing frustration and fear. The four-way stop sign system seems to be increasingly ineffective, as drivers often roll through or simply ignore the signs altogether.

"The intersection has been a problem for years," said Linda Martinez, a local seamstress who has lived in Gustine for over a decade. "I’ve seen cars speeding down Main Street all the time, and a lot of drivers don’t respect the stop signs. It’s only a matter of time before something serious happens, and I think the roundabout might be the only solution."

The city has already committed to installing a roundabout at the intersection once current construction projects are completed, but the debate over its effectiveness is dividing the community. On one side, supporters argue that a roundabout will slow traffic and force drivers to be more mindful of their surroundings, reducing the likelihood of accidents. On the other side, skeptics fear that the change could confuse drivers and potentially lead to more accidents.

"I think the roundabout is a good idea," said Sanchez. "We need something to slow people down, and roundabouts do that. I’ve seen them work in other places, and I really believe it could make this intersection safer."

However, longtime resident Jason Miller is less optimistic. "I’m not sure about this roundabout," he said. "People in this town aren’t used to roundabouts, and I’ve seen them cause confusion in other places. I think it could make things worse, especially if people don’t know how to drive in them."

Miller’s concerns echo the sentiments of others who have seen how difficult it can be for drivers unfamiliar with roundabouts to navigate them properly. Despite these reservations, the city remains committed to moving forward with the project.

In the meantime, many residents are being extra cautious when crossing through the intersection, knowing that it’s become a hotspot for near-misses. With the area being one of the busiest in Gustine’s downtown, traffic is only expected to increase, particularly as the town hosts various events and local festivals.

"I walk through there all the time, and I’m always looking over my shoulder," said Perez. "The number of times I’ve seen someone blow through a stop sign is crazy. I hope the roundabout will help, but until it’s in place, I’m going to be extra careful."

The city’s plan to install the roundabout is already in motion, and many residents are hopeful that it will be completed sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Gustine’s citizens are left to grapple with the ongoing safety risks, hoping that another close call doesn’t turn into something far more tragic.

"We’ve been lucky so far," Martinez said. "But we can’t rely on luck forever. Something needs to be done, and the roundabout might be the only way to fix this."

As the project moves forward, the city council is expected to provide updates on the timeline for construction once current projects are completed in town.