last night's pedestrian accident was one of 5 pedestrian accidents in recent months
Last night's another pedestrian was hit by a car while crossing E Hartsdale Ave. This accident is the latest in a series of pedestrian related accidents that have taken place in Greenburgh in recent months. On September 15, 2019, vicinity of Old Kensico Road / Randolph Road; a pedestrian was injured in a hit and run accident. Criminal case, arrest made on 11/21/2019 by Greenburgh Detectives. On October 18, 2019, vicinity of Sacred Heart Church, Central Park Ave.; (2) pedestrian’s struck while in crosswalk, both injured, one seriously. On November 18, 2019, vicinity of East Hartsdale Ave. /Columbia Ave. pedestrian struck in crosswalk and sustained injuries. And on November 22, 2019, vicinity of Fort Hill Road / Underhill Road; pedestrian struck while walking in roadway near shoulder, sustained serious physical injury and died.
The 2020 proposed budget (capital and operating) includes funding for more sidewalks, crosswalk safety enhancements , digital speed boards, speed humps and other traffic safety measures. In recent years the town has taken measures to increase pedestrian safety. We have built or secured funding for six miles of new sidewalks around town (in recent months completed three new sidewalks: Columbia Ave, Lawton, Fair Street. A new sidewalk on Central Ave from Marion to W Hartsdale Ave has been approved -work to start in the spring. We have given out thousands of reflectors to residents in recent years -encouraging pedestrians to wear bright clothing or reflectors in the evening so motorists can see them. We hope that the enhanced crosswalk on Ardsley Road/Edgemont Road with warning lights will be completed at the end of next week. We hired a crossing guard to assist pedestrians on Ardsley Rd/Ft Hill Road). We awarded the bid for a new traffic light on Ardsley Rd/Sprain Road. The Planning Department is working with the Department of Public Works and will be recommending the prioritization of sidewalks that have been identified in the comprehensive plan that should be built. That report is expected by March if not sooner.
I plan to propose another initiative that I think would be helpful: A TRAFFIC SAFETY CITIZENS COMMITTEE.
The traffic safety citizens committee would work with the police department in doing the following:
(i) coordinate activities among the various Town departments, including implementing stop-gap safety measures before more permanent solutions can be funded, engineered and installed,
(ii) field and look into suggestions from residents,
(iii) issue suggestions and warnings to residents via the newspapers, e-list and notices in mailings. Organize education events. Help distribute reflectors to pedestrians who walk in the evening.
(iv) meet with civic associations, and schools if requested,
(v) work with Dept of Planning and DPW in establishing priorities for permanent solutions such as sidewalks, and if safety measures have to be taken on state roads located within Greenburgh lobby the state to implement the safety measures. Example: NYS won't fund a light in front of Sacred Heart Church where the accident occurred. The town offered to pay for the light and we are waiting word whether the state DOT will give us permission to install the light at our expense.
(vi) make monthly reports to Town Board during a regular public meeting date.
If you would be interested in serving on this committee please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. We will never be able to prevent every accident from occurring. But if we all work together we can try hard to make it less likely for some accidents from occurring.
PAUL FEINER