Community Watchdog

Ed Terrafirma says Stony Brook Road in Lake Grove needs stop signs to slow traffic.
Newsday photo by Thomas A. Ferrara

A while back, there was a petition to put traffic signals or signs on Stony Brook Road in Lake Grove. We were told that it couldn’t be done because the road connects two state highways — Routes 25 and 347. But cars speed despite the 30 mph zone. Stop signs would slow down the traffic tremendously.
— Ed Terrafirma, Lake Grove

Mr. Terrafirma was misinformed.

There’s no state law that prohibits stop signs or traffic signals on a road that connects two highways. The Town of Brookhaven is responsible for Stony Brook Road and decides whether traffic control devices are appropriate.

But the town feels that since that stretch of road doesn’t have major intersections, traffic devices aren’t needed.

The town “doesn’t use traffic signals as a calming device,” said town spokesman Tom Burke, who has left that position since this interview.

But our call prompted the town to plan for a new traffic study of the road. The last study was done in 2005.

Town residents with questions about traffic control on town roads can call 631-451-9200.

— Michael R. Ebert

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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