By Paul Shapiro
Although no one was injured, the incident set off an alarm in Toback's head.
In response to a request from the district's school board and superintendent, Toback designated $37,500 of his community revitalization projects fund for the district to design and install a school zone warning signal at Broadway and Herkimer Street, in front of the elementary school.
"The Hewlett School District identified Broadway, in front of the elementary school, as a place where we needed to try to slow the traffic down," Toback explained. "I thought these radar signals could really have a positive effect on getting people who are speeding to slow down. I think it's very useful, and with school starting up this past week, I think it will help with that."
On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., he encountered countdown pedestrian signals that display the amount of time pedestrians have to cross the street safely. "At first, I thought they were radar detectors, and then I realized what it was doing," Toback said. "I thought it was a fantastic public safety tool, so I lobbied to get the countdown timers in our district, and Cedarhurst seemed like the right place to do it. It seemed like a great way to give the pedestrians an even shot when crossing the street there."
Within months, the countdown boxes were installed along Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. "The Nassau County Department of Public Works Signal Management Section has recently completed installation of numerous countdown pedestrian signals along Central Avenue in the Cedarhurst area in order to improve pedestrian safety," said Sheila Dukacz, Signal Management Section head. "Five intersections received four countdown pedestrian signals each to assist pedestrians in crossing and in knowing how much time is remaining to cross the street."
The countdown signals are on Central Avenue at Prospect Avenue, Cedarhurst Avenue, Spruce Street, Washington Avenue and Maple Avenue.
"Several times, I've been in Cedarhurst and people have brought to my attention that something needed to be done on Central Avenue, especially when crossing the street," Toback said. "Pedestrians say it's impossible to get across the street safely, and then I saw these countdown boxes and thought it would be a great idea to try on Central Avenue. I think it's important for people to know when to cross the street, and hopefully you have the right information to make the right decision."
Once activated by a pedestrian, countdown signal displays a walking man to let pedestrians know they should start to cross, followed by a flashing hand, which indicates that they should finish crossing if they have started but should not leave the curb if they haven't already because they may not have enough time to cross. As the hand flashes, the signal starts to count down the remaining seconds before the light changes.
"It is imperative that the pedestrians push one of the push buttons located at each corner in order to activate the pedestrian signal," Dukacz said. "Pushing the button will also extend the amount of time that is given to cross the street. It is intended that these improvements will increase pedestrian safety and awareness."
Nassau County's commissioner of public works, Ray Ribeiro, said he thinks the more information you can give people, the better. "Both of those improvements, we believe, are going to improve safety at these locations," Ribeiro said. "Any time you can make improvements that provide drivers and pedestrians with added information, that's a good thing. You are helping people make informed decisions.
"The school zone signal in front of the school provides drivers with information and alerts them that they are entering into a school zone," Ribeiro continued. "This will allow the drivers to adjust their driving accordingly. And the pedestrian countdown signals are going to provide pedestrians with added information as well. They will know specifically how much time they have to continue their crossing, which should help them to safely get across the street."
Toback said he hopes both of these tools help people make more informed decisions. "I think in their respective ways it draws people's attention that you're either driving too fast or you don't have time to cross the street," he said. "It gives people another tool to make responsible decisions. It's impossible to have a crossing guard at every intersection. This just gives people another tool in the decision-making process. ... These tools have to help to make it safer for people in the community."
Toback said he is very happy with the initial response to the safety measures. "We got very positive feedback, and I think it will lead to a much safer Cedarhurst," he said. "I think the government's No. 1 function is public safety, and these two projects follow along towards making the communities safer."
Toback has other locations in mind for the countdown signals, including the intersection of Broadway and West Broadway in Hewlett and corners in Oceanside and Island Park.
"Hopefully there is an option, but it's a tricky spot," he said of the Hewlett intersection, where there is a Burger King. "I believe there will be something that we can try to bring to that intersection to make it safer. Maybe these countdown boxes would be a solution for that intersection, too."
Comments about this story? PShapiro@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 201.
