EDITORIAL: Sensible decisions made last week's storm safer

Snowstorms are very unpredictable, as the recent volatile weather attests. What should be readily predictable, however, are smart responses when the forecasts get worrisome.

LIRR and school officials spoke up early and clearly in preparation for Wednesday's winter onslaught. They were willing to take the risk of being second-guessed if the so-called blizzard was a bust, as had been the storm of the previous weekend.

By midday last Tuesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made an unusually early decision to close New York City schools. Long Island school districts took the same route, declaring their "snow day" well in advance. Juggling child care with the demands of work is always difficult, but extra time can make it easier for employees and employers.

LIRR president Helena Williams had already been warning that service on some branches could be suspended if deep snow accumulated on third rails. As the storm approached, commuters also were told that extra trains would start running early Wednesday afternoon. These were sensible decisions, well communicated, to avoid trapping passengers on a stuck train, as happened in December, or having riders stranded for hours at Pennsylvania Station.

Now, there are just a few more related safety issues that need attention: car and truck owners who won't clean the mounds of snow topping off their vehicles, and drivers who refuse to take it slow on icy and snow-covered roads. hN