Hylan Boulevard pedestrian improvements a danger to drivers? June 29, 2009

I am sure that most of you have noticed a few more trees in the median on Hylan Boulevard. Along with those trees, the City of New York Department of Transportation has attempted to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing one of the most dangerous streets on Staten Island. The Staten Island Advance has called Hylan Boulevard Staten Island’s version of the “Boulevard of Death.” Hylan Boulevard has claimed the lives of 5 senior pedestrian’s from 2001-2006. One of the most notorious and deadly intersections is that of Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane. The City of New York has recognized the danger posed to pedestrians and has undertaken an ambitious program to protect pedestrians but at what cost?

The City and the DOT have painted new, high-visibility crosswalks, installed fencing to keep pedestrians safely out of traffic, and painted “stop bars” at the start of the intersection to signal to drivers where they should stop for yellow and red lights at a safe distance from the crosswalk. They have also installed heavy metal “bells” in the median, presumably to protect pedestrians who didn’t have enough time to finish crossing the street from the cars streaking along Hylan Boulevard. Unfortunately, the “bells”, which are approximately 2 1/2 feet high and painted black, are most likely isnbatleld below the site line of most cars and so near the road that they are a danger to cars, especially for turning cars. The shape of the “bells” and their location appear to enable cars to ride up and over them, with potentially devastating effects. It is believed that at least one accident was already caused by these “bells” and it is readily apparent from the scuff marks on the bells that numerous cars have hit them already, just a few weeks after they were installed. In order to protect the pedestrians, should driver’s safety be put at risk? The bells need to be removed or redesigned immediately to prevent any further injury or accidents. Although the safety of pedestrians is paramount, driver’s should not be subject to severe injuries in exchange for their safety.

Frank Dito is a New York Personal Injury attorney specializing in New York real estate law , New York business law, and New York franchise law. You can visit his Law Firm Decker, Decker, Dito and Internicola website by clicking here, download his FREE New York Car Insurance book, or call him at 718-979-4300 or 1-800-310-5520 for a free case analysis.

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