Community Watchdog

Driving from Baldwin on Southern State Parkway, there’s a sign that says traffic information is available on 1640 AM radio. I turn it on out of curiosity and every five seconds or so, there’s this announcement: “This is the New York State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio System, site No. 2.”

I’m headed east to Melville, so I keep it on to see if it’ll say anything different, since there’s intermittent traffic buildup. But the recording stays the same until I reach the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (135) Exit 28A South. Then the recording says, “This is the New York State Department of Transporation Highway Advisory Radio System, site No. 1.”

I guess with satellite radios and car stereo systems, the DOT doesn’t feel it needs to do anything special on the airwaves. Maybe the recording should at least announce the next few exits so that visitors and even residents who don’t travel around Long Island often will know which exits are coming up.

Just a suggestion.