Watchdog: Gripes about school-zone speed cam in Plainview
For many drivers, the school-zone speed camera on Manetto Hill Road in Plainview has become an object of scorn.
Their point is this: The location is unfair to drivers entering the road from the Northern State Parkway. School-zone speed limit and photo enforcement signs are north of the exit ramp's entrance to Manetto Hill, so drivers making the right turn into the southbound lanes never see them.
These drivers have been asking for additional signs to give them a heads up about the camera that's ahead, part of Nassau County's school-zone speed enforcement program. The camera has been operating since Sept. 3.
When we went to the school last week, new signs were in place: A 30 mph School Zone Speed Limit sign was attached to a utility pole at the north corner of the school property, within view of drivers exiting the parkway. The sign had been installed earlier that day, Town of Oyster Bay spokeswoman Marta Kane said.
And a Photo Enforcement sign was on the shoulder of the exit ramp, about 50 feet from the turn onto Manetto Hill. That sign was installed Sept. 5 "to ensure full transparency," according to a statement from the county.
The state law that permits use of the speed cameras provides a 10 mph buffer, so tickets at this location are issued for speeds faster than 40 mph. Judge John Marks, executive director of the county's Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, has been hearing from drivers on the receiving end and, when we spoke Wednesday, he expressed impatience with those who say they were unaware they needed to slow down.
"As soon as you make the right [turn from the exit ramp], on the corner is a yellow sign with two kids crossing," Marks said.
"If you come off the [exit] ramp and the light is green, and you make a 90-degree turn to go south, let's assume the [driver's] speed gets down to 10 to 15" mph, he said. "Or assuming you didn't catch the [green] light and can't go until it changes, you go from a standstill." In either case, he said, "I suggest it's impossible to get up to 41 mph before you know you're in the school zone."
The county has more than 400 schools in 56 districts, he said, and only one camera in a district can be active at any one time. "So in 56 schools, you must follow the [speed limit] rules," he said. "But in the other 344 you don't have to? How silly is that?"
Drivers who have contacted us don't disagree. But they want a better warning that the speed limit is in effect.
"Give me a flashing light and it will catch my attention," said one, a retired Nassau police detective who is fighting a speed camera ticket. "Whether it's being enforced by a camera or not, we're supposed to slow down for safety."
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