We urgently need our state and local leaders to make the pedestrian crossing at Exit 16 on the Saw Mill River Parkway safer. At around 7:45 pm on Monday March 4, A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured when he was struck by a car while crossing at the Lawrence Street intersection in Dobbs Ferry. This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety at this location.
While it's heartening that the community has rallied around the young man and his family during this challenging period, to avert future accidents, it's crucial that we take immediate steps to enhance pedestrian safety at this location and prevent future tragedies.
This unsafe crossing is frequently used by employees who work at the many services that Chauncey Square provides. They are just trying to get safely to their jobs, and we should provide them with a safe passage across the Parkway. In addition, local teens walk from Hastings on Hudson to Chauncey Square along the South County trailway, and hikers and bikers cross here to access Chauncey while using the trail. There is the perception or expectation - in particular among teens - that cars will observe the rules of the road and yield to pedestrians. For now, any step we can take to alert drivers to the pedestrian crossing could avoid another tragic accident and make the crossing safer.
We, the undersigned, a group of concerned residents and daily commuters using the SMRP, urge local authorities to prioritize pedestrian safety at Exit 16 by implementing the following solutions:
• Enhancing Pedestrian Crossing Signage: Install clear, bright yellow pedestrian crossing signs with activation lights directly at the crosswalk for better driver visibility.
• Adding Upstream Warning Signs: Place warning signs along both directions of the Parkway alerting drivers to a pedestrian crossing ahead, especially near the exit.
• Enforcing Traffic Laws: Increase police presence or utilize technological solutions like traffic cameras to deter speeding and ensure driver compliance with crosswalk laws.
• Constructing a pedestrian bridge: This long-term solution would provide a safe and convenient way for pedestrians to cross the parkway.
We urge Leadership from Town of Greenburgh and NYSDOT to conduct a thorough safety assessment of Exit 16 and implement the proposed solutions outlined in this petition.
Please join me in demanding a safer crossing for our children and community! Thank you for your time and consideration!
