Traffic chaos tragic results

To the editor:

(re: “Ruth Mullen: Political activist, and so much more,” Sept. 16)

It grieved me to learn of the death of Ruth Mullen a few months ago. Although the intersection where Ruth lost her life has been improved, our city officials must do much more to prevent future traffic tragedies in our neighborhood.

Another dangerous intersection is located at West 231st Street and Arlington Avenue. I have assisted stunned and bleeding motorists who were victims of crashes there on three occasions in recent years.

Other accidents have occurred there as well, since it’s common for motorists to run through the east/west stop signs, and to speed past West 231st, where there are still no badly needed stop signs or speed bumps.

My neighbors and I have filed complaints with the city’s transportation department and our public officials for years, requesting they upgrade the safety of this intersection — so far to no avail.

A new danger to pedestrians is the prevalence of men on motorized bikes and scooters, often making deliveries. Few of them observe basic traffic regulations, such as honoring stop signs and traffic lights, and yielding to pedestrians crossing the street. They even ride on sidewalks, approaching them within inches of unsuspecting shoppers and scaring them.

Most of these deliverymen do not wear helmets. Their employers should take responsibility for the reckless habits of their employees, and require safe behavior from them.

We need laws and enforcement to deal with this new chaos.

I urge our elected officials and police — as well as the DOT — to advocate and persevere for our safety now, before another tragedy occurs.

Alisa Eilenberg

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