Dear Commissioner Shah, County Executive Mangano and Mr. Martino,
As you know, about three years ago, I was promised speed indicators and flashing lights at three different schools in my area. One was J. Irving Baylis Elementary School on Woodbury Road in Plainview/Syosset. Obviously, nothing has happened since that request. I put it in as a Community Project but was told that, in fact, it could be done quickly and easily as part of normal traffic safety, by you. Recently, you told me there is no money in the budget for this. However, I know the cost of this type of device and find it hard to believe that in DPW we cannot install something which exists near just about every school on major arteries.
Yesterday, a “tragedy waiting to happen,” actually happened. A car flipped over and hit a school bus. Through some stroke of luck, there were no children on that bus. However, there were serious injuries involved.
I implore you to please do something in this area. I have a more lengthy email which I will be sending you on other traffic nightmares right in this exact area, along with pictures. However, I felt that I must put this on your radar screen, right away.
There is a traffic light at the school but speeding is constant. Also, the large trunks of the beautiful trees which, at one time, were terrific along Woodbury Road, have now resulted in no sight lines for people attempting to leave and turn onto Woodbury Road. At least some should come down, and be replaced by smaller trees, where the trunk is the reason for the loss of sight as to oncoming vehicles.
There was an accident at this location a few months ago when a teacher, who was seriously injured, attempted to exit the school parking lot. The small music teaching school next to the elementary school has NO access/egress due to poorly marked lines on Woodbury Road.
We need a traffic engineering report as quickly as possible and, at the very least, the speed and flashing light monitors installed, immediately.
Thank you, in advance for your attention to this matter.
