Community Watchdog

"I have lived at the intersection of Hawkins and Boyle Road in Selden since 1963. A traffic light had finally been installed after a little girl had been killed in a traffic accident and [the late Suffolk County legislator] Rose Caracappa [ Nicholas Caracappa’s mother] fought for the installation of the light. Since the change in 2007, there have been over a dozen accidents at the intersection. As far as the safety of the intersection as per the town traffic and safety dept., the safety of the residents and the children that attend Hawkins Path Elementary School have been compromised and the dept. is only interested in the ‘flow of traffic’ on both Hawkins and Boyle Roads. The intersection is worse than it has been since the installation of the light.”

“In January of 1996, we moved into our newly purchased home in north Selden, about one-half of a mile north of the Boyle Road, Hawkins Road intersection. We currently have four drivers in our family, and all of them must pass through that intersection at least twice every day. I speak for all of us in regard to the discussion of the recent changes to the traffic flow.

”Prior to the changes, traffic would stack up in the short turning lanes. The all-too-short left turn signal would not let enough traffic through, and more than a few drivers would continue turning after the arrow had turned red. This was a dangerous situation, and I have seen countless close calls as a result.

“Add to this having school crossings and this intersection could be a nightmare. When we discovered that the intersection was redesigned, we also discovered that it was now possible to make a left turn if no traffic was coming from the opposite direction. This completely eliminated the back-up in the turn lanes. It also eliminated the running on the red turning arrow by frustrated drivers.

“I for one have not seen any increase in accidents. What I do see is a more efficient intersection, a safer intersection.

“The changes to the intersection are a major improvement for the thousands of drivers who must use this intersection every day.

“Reverting to the original design would be a step backwards to congestion and decreased safety.”

“I lived there eight years ago and I am sure traffic has only gotten worse. There is a school there and I think that the red, yellow, green, left-turn arrow is much safer. Nowadays people are all on their cellphones and aren't paying attention. The new way leaves it up to the driver to use their judgment to make it through the intersection safely and most of them are distracted.”

“Has anyone noticed that the lines are painted incorrectly on the south side of Boyle Road? I have called Supervisor Brian Foley and Superintendent of Highways John Rouse about this safety issue but nothing was ever done. I guess when former employees call about safety issues in the community, we must be wrong. As usual, nothing will be done until a youngster is injured.”

”I agree that the traffic flows better and faster, but that is not always the answer. People are on cell phones, reading, eating, drinking and putting on makeup among other things, while they are driving. I have had to negotiate such fools at that intersection numerous times. All they really had to do was increase the time for north and south travel on Boyle Rd. and also increase the time on the left turn lights...Oh yes, a cop occasionally wouldn't hurt either. Let's take those five cars that they put on Hawkins and Hemlock to check seat belts and put them at Hawkins. I also think speed bumps would help as I have had issues with speeding for years as I live near a high school and a middle school and not much is done to make it safer for the kids who walk to school. It isn't just the kids who speed and blow stop signs.”

The changes at this intersection are probably something that will be debated for years. For those like Caracappa who want the old traffic signals back, it doesn't seem like there's a change that will happen anytime soon.