Letters: Danger crossing on H'stead Turnpike
Crossing in the middle of the block, this pedestrian makes his way across Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square without the aid of a designated crosswalk on Jan. 11, 2012. Credit: Newsday/ John Paraskevas
I know Long Island drivers are terrible, but the pedestrians are a huge problem ["Enforce pedestrian safety regulations," Letters, July 30].
A bus recently stopped on Hempstead Turnpike about 40 feet from a traffic light. A woman and young children got off, carrying items for Eisenhower Park. Instead of walking to the traffic light to cross, they started across where the bus let them off. The woman was running, and the children had trouble keeping up. Luckily, no one was injured.
A short while later, as we were approaching a red light on Hempstead Turnpike, a woman stepped off the sidewalk, about a car length from the corner, and ran through the slowing cars to cross the street.
These were two incidents in less than a mile, separated by less than five minutes. Perhaps the public service ads reminding us to cross at the corner need to be put back on the air.
Mary Johnson, North Bellmore
Recently on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, near the Nassau University Medical Center, I saw a women pushing a stroller and pulling a young child as they crossed in mid-block and against the light. Was this ever a disaster waiting to happen. This woman sets a poor example for children.
I believe that officials must seriously enforce existing laws and issue public service announcements.
Elaine Beckerman, Westbury
