A Northport reader asked us to find out about the traffic lights at the intersection of Ruland and Pinelawn roads in Melville that are hard to see until you’re almost underneath them.
Guess what? They’re like that on purpose.
Some of the lights at the multi-way intersection have louvers to restrict drivers coming in other directions from seeing the light and mistaking it for the light regulating the road they’re on.
“The louvers are in place to ensure that motorists do not see conflicting displays,” said Town of Huntington traffic safety engineer Gary Gil, who noted that louvers are frequently used at complex intersections that have medians.
In this case, the northbound and southbound lanes on Pinelawn Road are separated by a 100-foot median and motorists approaching the intersection from the east and west each see the green-yellow-red light sequences at different times.
By using louvers to limit the light’s sight distance, drivers sitting at a red light before the median won’t inadvertently glimpse a green light 100 feet ahead and accelerate into traffic.
“We get a few complaints, but not many,” town spokeswoman Fran Evans said. Some residents simply don’t understand the purpose or function of louvers.
Town residents with concerns about traffic safety can call the Department of Engineering Services at 631-351-3151.
--Michael R. Ebert
