Don't expect DOT to act at all

To the editor:

(re: “Lawmakers demand swift action to fix intersection,” Sept. 16)

The death of writer and activist Ruth Mullen due to a “pedestrian” accident was tragic and senseless.

Those who walk the streets of Riverdale are constantly challenged by drivers who speed, ignore stop signs, and make turns without adequate caution.

Numerous vehicles traverse the neighborhood from delivery trucks of varying sizes (FedEx to FreshDirect) to school buses. Then there is the off-traffic from the Henry Hudson Parkway.

Even sidewalks aren’t without issue because of bicycle riders and e-bikes.

There have been numerous requests to re-evaluate the need for additional traffic lights along West 235th Street. Side streets have four-way stop signs, with an extra “full stop” notice. However, they are consistently ignored.

In the spring, I wrote to the city’s transportation department requesting more robust traffic controls at the intersection of West 235th and Arlington Avenue.

The response stated that DOT’s “intersection control unit completed their analysis in April. Factors such as vehicular and pedestrian volumes, crash experience, vehicular speeds, visibility, and signal spacing were all taken into consideration in making our determination.

Based upon our evaluation of the data collected, we have determined that additional traffic controls do not meet nationally recognized traffic engineering safety standards required for the installation of traffic controls. Additional information on how traffic control studies are conducted is available on the DOT website.”

My experience — and those of my neighbors — have been sharply different.

There has to be a better way to determine the safety of our streets beyond a post-disaster response. I call upon the elected officials of our district to take action on this continual problem. Speed bumps and graphics of people at a crosswalk aren’t achieving results.

Maybe it’s time for cameras and monetary fines.

Marcia G. Yerman

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