Dangerous Roads newsletter: Unshoveled sidewalks add to dangers of walking

Even in bad weather, my two teenage sons typically don’t mind walking home from school, as long as they’re not wearing their Crocs. They tell me they could use the cardio.

But over the last week, my wife and I have made a special effort to give them a ride home, as the alternative is far more dangerous than usual.

Road conditions since last week’s snowfall have proved especially perilous for those traveling on foot. With some sidewalks still uncleared, pedestrians have been forced to choose between trekking through knee-deep snow or walking in the middle of the street, dangerously close to traffic.

I had to make that choice when going out for bread at my local bakery Sunday afternoon. Because some property owners never shoveled their sidewalks, I found myself briefly sharing the slippery blacktop with the car traffic on Merrick Road in Valley Stream.

My colleague Nicholas Spangler explored some of the potential financial consequences of not clearing your sidewalk, including fines ranging from $20 to $10,000.

But the consequences of not shoveling your sidewalk could be far more severe than a summons. With about a foot of snow having just fallen in Lake Grove, Suffolk police said Elizabeth Jensen, 46, was walking "in the roadway" of Route 347 near the Moriches Road intersection on Jan. 26 when she was struck and killed by a Honda HRV driven by an East Northport 19-year-old.

As a homeowner with a corner property, I can attest to how excruciating shoveling sidewalks can be. But forcing pedestrians into the street, dangerously close to passing vehicles, is simply not an option.

So, if you’re unable to shovel your sidewalk, hire somebody to do it for you. And if you’re in Valley Stream, I know two teenage boys who would welcome the cardio workout.

Readers speak up

Over the last couple of weeks, I've written about how Long Island's speeding culture puts responsible drivers at risk. This reader points out that even when he is going a little above the speed limit, that's still not fast enough for some other cars on the road.

Too many people are aggressive when one wants to exit Sunrise Highway and travel service roads safely. They wish to continue at highway speeds where the limit is 35 or 40 mph. ... I move over to the right lane and people usually come up behind and pass while I am at least 5 mph above speed limit. ... This behavior can be changed with strict enforcement of speed and a safety campaign of courtesy.

Daniel Reilly, Suffolk County

How do you navigate around cars intent on going much faster than you? Let us know at roads@newsday.com.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.