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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
My house is situated on a quiet corner in a residential neighborhood. As you travel north on my block, it curves. It's a blind turn. My son's bus stop is on the corner of my property, where the two streets connect. It's a "T", not a four way intersection. Since my son has started school, I have noticed how people come flying around that corner, heading south. I have been really paying attention and it's crazy how fast people are driving around that corner. There is a lot of foot traffic in my neighborhood, tons of kids, lots of runners, dog walkers, etc.
I requested the town place a stop sign on the corner. I know it's not going to resolve the problem but I think it would encourage motorists to slow down coming around the blind turn. Can we discuss the circle jerk I have endured with this? You would think I have requested that they re-route all the roads in my neighborhood and have multiple traffic lights installed. It's insane.
This is what I have learned about my town...nobody wants to work. First it was, we need to do a "traffic study", whatever that means. Now it's a ton of other, irrelevant excuses that they can not possibly place the stop sign, none of which trump the safety of the people in the neighborhood. I was told that because there is a stop sign 500’ south (which is a full block away), that a stop sign could not be placed. I was told that there needs to be 5 documented accidents in a 12 month period of time to be cause for a stop sign. I was told a stop sign is not to be used as a traffic control device. I was told that there needs to be a right of way established for a stop sign. I was told something about state and federal laws with the streets which makes no sense because it's neither a federal nor state road. I was told the police were notified of my concerns. I was told the town cannot control speeding motorists.
That's a bunch of nice excuses but really?? It's a stop sign. In a residential neighborhood. Trust me, I find stop signs just as annoying as anyone else so I am not requesting it to harass my neighbors. It's so mind boggling to me that when a civilian expresses a safety concern that it's so blatantly blown off.
I asked for a street light on my side block. It is pitch black and there is a park that is frequented by families and, quite frankly, who I think are drug dealers. I asked for a light to be installed. That was a hard no too. Why? Because there are street lights on surrounding blocks (who cares? That's not where we are talking about) and they are not required by law to illuminate the street. Um...okay then.
BTW, this has been going on for months. They are far quicker in depositing my tax check than responding to my concerns.
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Posted 6/19/19 4:21 PM  |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
I understand your concerns and frustrations, but unfortunately a stop sign will not solve anything. There is a stop sign at my children’s bus stop—where 6 young kids wait for the bus—and people fly through the stop sign like they’re being chased by the cops. It’s incredibly frustrating. The same cars every day who have zero regard for the safety of these children.
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| Posted 6/19/19 4:40 PM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Maybe the police could set up a speed trap for a few days every now and then at that intersection? Since it's local traffic that would probably make more of an impact on speed than a sign would. Have you tried calling the local precinct about this?
But I agree with you that generally town and county employees avoid work at all costs. I interact with LI town employees often and some of the things I have seen are infuriating.
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| Posted 6/19/19 4:58 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
People speed down our block too and it is residential. I would try getting the neighbors together and bring it up a the next town board meeting. You could also ask for speed bumps. We have resorted to putting orange traffic cones out when the kids are out riding bikes because of how people drive
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| Posted 6/19/19 5:55 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Unfortunately, this is not just your town. Every town I know of follows those traffic study rules..it is exceptionally difficult to get lights, stop signs, etc. Installed. Near me, there is a street that terminates onto the main road of town. In the past six months I believe there have been 20 vehicular accidents. Within that time, they have done the same traffic study. There is also a traffic light within 50 feet of the side street. There already is a turning lane and a stop sign. The people who live there are up in arms because they want another light at their street. The town may end up making it right turn only to prevent accidents. Instead of asking for a stop sign, ask for a speed bump. It will deter speeding more than a sign.
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| Posted 6/19/19 6:08 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Ask for the bus stop to be moved. Easier and quicker.
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| Posted 6/19/19 7:03 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
I have a 4 way stop on my corner. Everyone stop going N to S, but the E to W stop sign is apparently optional. I understand your concern, but the stop sign will probably not cause people to drive differently.
I actually contacted my town because so many people were blowing through it. I thought it was due to it being obstructed so I lodged a complaint. They fixed the issue and people still don't stop.
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| Posted 6/19/19 7:58 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by alli3131
Ask for the bus stop to be moved. Easier and quicker.
It’s not just about the bus stop. It’s about the well being of pedestrians, bikers, kids on the street, etc.
What my real question is, is why they need a “study” to determine whether a simple stop sign needs to be placed in a residential neighborhood. Isn’t the complaints of the neighbors enough? Go out, see for yourselves and stick a pole with a sign in the ground! It’s so stupid. And to boot, he told me in response to my complaint they put up 30 MPH sign at the beginning of my block, which is like a 1/4 mile away. Well that’s terrific. Kudos.
My ongoing written complaints coupled with their “traffic study” has put them on written, actual and constructive notice of this condition so when somebody is injured, and it is only a matter of time, at least they will have recourse against the town for not rectifying the known hazardous condition. (Glad i paid attention in law school that day  )
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| Posted 6/19/19 8:35 PM |
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Both houses I’ve been a corner, requested one almost 4 years ago in my old house, never got one, maybe I’ll drive by in 5 years and they will put one up. My house was the bus stop too and it didn’t matter 
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| Posted 6/19/19 8:37 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by alli3131
Ask for the bus stop to be moved. Easier and quicker.
It’s not just about the bus stop. It’s about the well being of pedestrians, bikers, kids on the street, etc.
What my real question is, is why they need a “study” to determine whether a simple stop sign needs to be placed in a residential neighborhood. Isn’t the complaints of the neighbors enough? Go out, see for yourselves and stick a pole with a sign in the ground! It’s so stupid. And to boot, he told me in response to my complaint they put up 30 MPH sign at the beginning of my block, which is like a 1/4 mile away. Well that’s terrific. Kudos.
My ongoing written complaints coupled with their “traffic study” has put them on written, actual and constructive notice of this condition so when somebody is injured, and it is only a matter of time, at least they will have recourse against the town for not rectifying the known hazardous condition. (Glad i paid attention in law school that day )
While I get it’s for the greater good a stop sign won’t change people’s behavior. I know I have 2 stop signs in front of my house and people drive like they aren’t there. So I would worry about the bus stop first.
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| Posted 6/19/19 9:24 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
I live in a closed development. It's shaped like a lollipop. Where the loop meets the stick there are two stop signs (one for each side of the loop). Every month the homeowners association sends out a newsletter that includes a reminder to stop at the only two stop signs in the development. Every morning I watch my neighbors fly through the stop sign.
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| Posted 6/19/19 10:06 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by DancinBarefoot
I live in a closed development. It's shaped like a lollipop. Where the loop meets the stick there are two stop signs (one for each side of the loop). Every month the homeowners association sends out a newsletter that includes a reminder to stop at the only two stop signs in the development. Every morning I watch my neighbors fly through the stop sign.
I find that my neighbors are the biggest offenders of speeding through my neighborhood too. One almost rear ended me pulling into my driveway (and I had my signal on and slowed early since he was so close behind)...
Our town has to do traffic studies as well but they have put up some signs in the worst areas (more main roads) that tell you how fast you are going and if you are over a certain speed it says “Slow Down”
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| Posted 6/19/19 10:22 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
We have petitioned for stop signs and have been told no. People cut down our blocks and drive fast. My kids and the neighborhood kids are always outside riding bikes and playing and it’s usually me and another dad standing the street to create boundaries so we will get hit first if people don’t stop.
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| Posted 6/20/19 7:19 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
On numerous occasions, I have been tempted to go into my road and make some huge potholes in the road. Sort of the reverse of a speed bump...
It would take the Town years to get around to fixing them, and it might slow down *some* of the speeders.....
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| Posted 6/20/19 8:01 AM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
People are not going to change even with a stop sign. I live on a narrow street that is a dead end. People fly down my street doing 50. Where are they going? The road ends. My son gets door to door bus, so he is picked up in front of our house. I can't tell you how many times people have gone around the bus, with its flashing lights on, to race down the block. It's a dead end people. You're not getting anywhere any quicker.
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| Posted 6/20/19 8:30 AM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
I feel your pain. Everyone in our neighborhood was asking for a stoplight at an intersection at the end of my street. The town didn't want to put one in because there was another light one street away (which lead to people speeding up so they wouldn't get stuck at it). Petitions signed by hundreds of people meant nothing. There were so many accidents, it was impossible to keep count. There were more than a few that were bad enough to need a helicopter to transport the injured. We finally got the light (I want to say about 14 years later) because someone died. Apparently that's what it takes.
Even still, there are accidents. People just run the light like it doesn't exist.
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| Posted 6/20/19 11:57 AM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by GoldenRod
On numerous occasions, I have been tempted to go into my road and make some huge potholes in the road. Sort of the reverse of a speed bump...
It would take the Town years to get around to fixing them, and it might slow down *some* of the speeders.....
Lol that's good thinking. I have a coworker that rolls things into the street when people speed down her block. I stopped by her house once to drop off paperwork and was astonished that people do like 50-60 down her side street (it connects to a highway so people act like that street isn't residential). She thought it was funny to roll a ball into the street and watch ppl slam on their breaks. She was saying that she has a neighbor with an old sheriff car (he bought at auction). He sits on the side of the road with his parking lights on and that causes people to hit the breaks too, thinking it's a cop. It's interesting what people resort to just to stop reckless drivers.
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| Posted 6/20/19 12:06 PM |
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angelicd77
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/13 794 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by LSP2005
Unfortunately, this is not just your town. Every town I know of follows those traffic study rules..it is exceptionally difficult to get lights, stop signs, etc. Installed. Near me, there is a street that terminates onto the main road of town. In the past six months I believe there have been 20 vehicular accidents. Within that time, they have done the same traffic study. There is also a traffic light within 50 feet of the side street. There already is a turning lane and a stop sign. The people who live there are up in arms because they want another light at their street. The town may end up making it right turn only to prevent accidents. Instead of asking for a stop sign, ask for a speed bump. It will deter speeding more than a sign.
Are you talking about the intersection of Randall Rd and 25 in Ridge? We are having the EXACT same problem. Its incredibly frustrating.
OP- I have the same setup. Corner lot and my corner is the bus stop. The only difference is on my particular block there are ZERO stop signs. There are stop signs to turn ONTO my block, but none acutally on my block itself. My neighbors warned me of this as soon as we moved in. I cant even get someone to call me back about getting one installed, so at least you get some type of response.
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| Posted 6/20/19 2:13 PM |
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CSK
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 892 total posts
Name:
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
I'm not sure why you think that a "study" shouldn't be done. I'm not sure what is involved in the study they are talking about, but there should be some evaluation for any sort of change in traffic pattern or road sign right?
Is it enough that you want a stop sign on a block that one should be there? how about the inverse, you think one should be removed, should they remove it?
I guess my point is that one could make an argument that a stop sign is needed on every corner. you can complain about yours, I could complain about mine, we could have as many stop signs as there are CVS' and banks on LI.
They have a process to evaluate, maybe its not the best, maybe its not how you would do it, but its a process. Lodge your complaint in writing, have other neighbors do it as well. if there are accidents, complain after the accident as well.
The bus stop move should be an easier process.
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| Posted 6/21/19 2:01 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
There is a road the next town over where two people have been killed in the past five years (one was hit by a car, which drove off the road, after putting her son on the bus). A month or two ago there was a massive accident, thankfully no one has been seriously injured. There has been traffic study after traffic study, petitions, and nothing has been done. It's frustrating.
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| Posted 6/22/19 2:47 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: May I vent for a moment re: town inaction
Posted by angelicd77
Posted by LSP2005
Unfortunately, this is not just your town. Every town I know of follows those traffic study rules..it is exceptionally difficult to get lights, stop signs, etc. Installed. Near me, there is a street that terminates onto the main road of town. In the past six months I believe there have been 20 vehicular accidents. Within that time, they have done the same traffic study. There is also a traffic light within 50 feet of the side street. There already is a turning lane and a stop sign. The people who live there are up in arms because they want another light at their street. The town may end up making it right turn only to prevent accidents. Instead of asking for a stop sign, ask for a speed bump. It will deter speeding more than a sign.
Are you talking about the intersection of Randall Rd and 25 in Ridge? We are having the EXACT same problem. Its incredibly frustrating.
OP- I have the same setup. Corner lot and my corner is the bus stop. The only difference is on my particular block there are ZERO stop signs. There are stop signs to turn ONTO my block, but none acutally on my block itself. My neighbors warned me of this as soon as we moved in. I cant even get someone to call me back about getting one installed, so at least you get some type of response.
I am in NJ. But this is such a dangerous design. I feel for you.
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| Posted 6/22/19 4:18 PM |
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