NOTE: As with most Internet polls, this poll is not balanced against a weighted sample. There is no statistical accuracy relating to any specific demographic of poll takers. Anyone can take this poll and the Northender collects no data about the respondents.
Hey You Self Absorbed Moron, Drop Your Phone And Use Your Blinker.
The other day I paused my car, holding up traffic for a minute to allow an elderly woman to cross east over Route 106 from Norwich Gate, presumably on her way to Stop & Shop. That we desperately need a traffic light and crosswalk here has been discussed numerous times over the past few years and yours truly, back when I was the president of the Oyster Bay Civic Association, sent a letter to Senator Carl Marcellino on this matter. Nothing was done. But I’m not knocking Carl, his office always responds to these letters and he assisted in my effort to get the New York State DOT to reconsider the sequence of the light at East Main Street, Audrey Avenue, West Main Street and Route 106. Thanks to my incessant badgering, and probably a letter on Senatorial letterhead, the DOT studied the intersection (you may have seen the cameras) and has assured me that these lights will be adjusted so traffic can flow from East Main Street, onto Route 106 and continue to head south all in one motion.
I’ve sent other letters to the NY State DOT complaining about two dangerous eastbound turns; one when heading south on Route 106 and turning left onto Berry Hill Road, the second when heading south on Berry Hill Road and turning left onto 25A. As any fool with access to Google Maps can see, the angle of approach of these intersections makes it extremely difficult to view oncoming traffic when trying to make the turns. The DOT’s response was that they studied the turns and do not feel left turn signals are necessary at this time. Fortunately, I sent these letters with proof of mailing so that, when someone is eventually seriously injured or killed making one of these turns, we will have solid proof that the “powers that be” were aware there was a problem. If not save a life, at least proof of this notification will help the attorney representing the families of the victim with their liability lawsuit against the state. Let me know if you need a copy.
Traffic lights and better attention from the State is always nice, but it’s just a fraction of our problem. The real issue isn’t line of sight, or safe roadways, it’s just simple consideration.
A few weeks ago I watched in complete dismay as a woman driving while holding a cell phone to her ear and speeding down Berry Hill Road failed to even slow down, let alone stop, as my daughter’s school bus was picking up the children, its red stop-sign out and lights flashing. The woman, who clearly was either not paying attention or thinks her telephone calls are more important than the safety of our children, didn’t bother to stop at the Anstice Street stop sign after passing the bus either. But I guess that shouldn’t have been a surprise. I mean, if you’re not going to stop for children pedestrians, a stop sign surely is optional.
Once in a while I see the police parked on this stop sign, which is a good thing. They could probably put a cop on this spot 24 / 7 and the tickets alone would pay the cop’s salary and benefits. But we all know that won’t happen. Not enough resources. And the laws aren’t the problem. I mean, despite attempts of the national Republican Party, we can’t legislate morality. We already have the laws in place forbidding this kind of behavior so more laws here won’t change much. What’s really missing is just basic consideration. And it’s not limited to speeding past a stopped school bus. It’s the jerk that sees nothing wrong with double parking his car, blocking legitimately parked cars and hazarding moving traffic, all so he can slip into the deli and grab a quick cup of coffee. It’s the people that like to drive 45 mph through neighborhood streets where kids are often playing. And don’t get me started about turn signals. There aren’t enough police in this country to ticket all those just in our little town who consistently fail to signal.
And does anyone remember that hands-free cell phone use is a legal requirement? They did this for a reason. Most people are just too stupid to drive a car successfully without the added baggage of holding a cell phone to their ear. Who do you need to talk to so badly that you can’t wait until you’re not operating two tons of steel on wheels at 40+ miles per hour?
Then of course there is the parking situation. Lest it sound like I’m ranting, why is it that many of the St. Dominic’s church-goers feel compelled to consistently park in crosswalks, and completely down the entire fire lane of upper Weeks Avenue? Folks, I’m sure you’re deity will understand if you are a few minutes late to church because you had the common consideration for your fellow human beings to find a legal parking spot. Has it occurred to anyone that it’s rather hypocritical to dump your car 18 inches from the curb in the crosswalk, blocking turning cars and pedestrians, so you can get into church in time to be forgiven for all your sins? Hey, why even bother?
I don’t know, maybe I’m just getting old, carrying on about the injustices of the world. But it seems to me, back when I was a kid in this town, we didn’t need another turn signal at the 106 – Berry Hill Road intersection. We didn’t need a light at the corner of Orchard Street and South Street. We didn’t need a traffic engineer to reconfigure the synchronicity of the East Main and West Main Street lights. We didn’t need a full time traffic cop. We didn’t need a 200 car parking garage. And most importantly, we didn’t desperately need to give people lessons in consideration.
Maybe there’s a business opportunity here. Someone with the patience of Mother Theresa can start offering an adult Ed course in how to “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” We can credit Jesus Christ with that one but Chinese philosophers said it a thousand years before Christ was ever born. And, what’s funnier is this quote I found in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations that seems apropos: “The wrong which roams the earth today, there is no end to it”.
