Community Watchdog

Nicholas Caracappa wants traffic signals on the corner where he lives changed

I reside at the busy intersection of Hawkins and Boyle Roads. This past year, the Town of Brookhaven increased the danger-level significantly by replacing the red-yellow-green left-turn arrows on the four-way traffic signals to green arrow/green light. That allows cars to make left turns into oncoming traffic because they have a continuous green light. There have been over a dozen accidents. That’s more incidents than the past 20 years combined. We have contacted the town several times. We have a petition. Still nothing.
-- Nicholas J. Caracappa, Selden

Town officials are steadfast: The changes have made the intersection safer, they say.

“The restriction of...the red arrow, with that volume of traffic, causes people to do dumb things,” like trying to beat the light, town spokesman Tom Burke said. A safer option, he said, is to give drivers “a safe turn with the green arrow and then an optional safe turn with the solid green light.”

Based on statistics culled from police reports and state reports, town traffic safety officials said the intersection averaged five accidents a year before the changes in March last year. After the changes, they said no accidents occurred at the intersection.

However, Sixth Precinct Commander Insp. Frank Stallone said department statistics for Hawkins and Boyle indicate 11 accidents in 2006 and 13 last year.
“I don’t see much difference” in the accident rate, he said.

Town and police numbers don’t match, Burke said, because the town’s traffic safety experts dissect the police accident reports and count only the ones that occurred directly at the intersection.

Stallone said officers generally indicate the nearest intersection where an accident occurs on police reports, including those that happen a short distance away. He described the intersection as “busy and complicated,” one that requires two school crossing guards.

Police defer to the town’s traffic experts, but Stallone called for a review of the changes because of resident complaints. The town “reviewed it and came back with the same result.” he said. “I’m not sure you can do anything safety-wise that will change that one way or another."

WATCHDOG WEIGH-IN: Who’s right? Is the intersection better or worse since the changes? Email comments to watchdog@newsday.com. Results will be posted on newsday.com/watchdog.

Also related to this topic:

*NY Department of Motor Vehicles-Traffic Control
*Selden Civic Association:

Photo by Howard Schnapp

We have on-going problem with motorists speeding on Mount Avenue in North Babylon. Most drivers go 40-to-50 mph and they ignore the speed zone for Brennan High School. They also frequently run through the stop signs.
-- Ira Hester, North Babylon

The Suffolk Police Department’s First Precinct says getting drivers to comply with traffic laws on Mount Avenue is a work in progress.

“It’s one of the locations that has been reported to us and we are continuing to take steps to curtail the traffic infractions from occurring there with both speeding and stop signs,” First Precinct Commander Insp. Robert Cassagne said.

Based on summonses issued on Mount Avenue, police presence this year is running about even with last year. In 2006, officers issued 428 tickets for traffic violations there, including 25 for stop signs. This year, 404 tickets have been issued, including 14 for stop signs, Cassagne said.

For streets plagued with traffic violators, police use anti-infraction deterrents - digital speed signs, so motorist know if they’re violating the speed limit, and patrols by the Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) Unit and Crash Reduction Team, he said.

The goal, Cassagne said, is to “get people to stop at the stop signs and to not speed.” However, he said, “We’re not there yet...We need to continue the efforts not only at this location but at other locations.”

Residents who feel their street is dangerous because motorists don't heed traffic laws can email their local precinct. Cassagne said writers should get a response within one business day. Or, click here for precinct phone numbers.

Also related to this topic:

*“Rating Long Island’s most dangerous roads,” Newsday, Aug. 5, 2007
*Suffolk County’s Department of Public Works – Highway Division FAQs