Concerns over the increasing use of stop signs in residential neighborhoods dominated discussion at the Tuesday, May 12, Town of North Hempstead public hearings meeting, where a union leader urged officials to reevaluate traffic safety strategies and hire a certified traffic engineer.
Speaking during a public hearing on a proposed all-stop intersection in Carle Place, Tom McDonough argued that the town has become too reliant on stop signs as a traffic-calming measure.
“It appears that we just keep throwing up stop signs all over the town,” McDonough said.
The hearing focused on a proposed ordinance that would install opposing stop signs at the intersection of Langdon Road and Garson Road in Carle Place, creating an all-stop controlled intersection.
McDonough said stop signs are not intended to serve primarily as speed-control devices on neighborhood streets. Instead, he suggested that the town consider greater use of yield signs and other traffic-calming measures.
“A stop sign is a false sense of security,” McDonough said, adding that he has witnessed drivers fail to stop at intersections near schools.
He also called on the town to hire a certified traffic engineer, arguing that professional traffic analysis is necessary.
North Hempstead Council Member Mariann Dalimonte said she agrees that a traffic engineer should be hired. North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena noted that outside traffic experts can be consulted for complex roadway matters.
North Hempstead Council Member Robert Troiano Jr. said, “The intent of the stop sign is not to control speed.”
“There’s a difficulty with cars on Langdon seeing cars that are coming from Garson because of some shrubbery…” Troiano Jr. said.
Source: LI Press
