Just Sayin': How to keep trucks from hitting bridges

How to keep trucks from hitting bridges

I recently witnessed on one day not one but two tractor trailers wandering onto our parkways that have low overpasses.

One driver, on the westbound Southern State Parkway, fortunately stopped moments before impact, but it still resulted in a traffic jam.

Then, on the Wantagh State Parkway, I saw a truck driver heading south who was not as lucky. His truck turned an overpass into a jagged can opener of his rig.

Unfortunately, this happens quite regularly on the New York State parkways. I’ve heard numerous solutions bandied about, including electronic laser measuring devices costing millions of dollars.

Here’s a simple solution: Put two poles with chains and bells hanging down. They recently did this on the renovated roads at LaGuardia Airport. This is an efficient and inexpensive method to cure this chronic problem.

Why attempt to invent and create an expensive electronic solution when an effective low-cost one already exists?

 — Terry McPherson, Bellmore

TV recordings being cut short? What to do

I have two tips to resolve a reader’s problem of having TV recordings cut short [“DVR should record entire TV shows,” Just Sayin’, July 16].

With “60 Minutes,” start the recording at its scheduled 7  p.m. Sunday time slot and add an hour to the total viewing time. Instead of the recording ending at 8 p.m., it will record an extra hour, to 9 p.m. This works during golf season in the summer.

During football season, make it even longer in case of an overtime game.

The other tip is if you have streaming services, you can view shows on demand at your leisure. If you do not have a streaming service, you can use your home computer, laptop or cellphone and Google a show’s title or look for it on YouTube.

You can search for an entire “Jeopardy!” episode, just the Final Jeopardy! answer segment or even past shows. If you have a smart TV, you likely can watch it on YouTube on your television, too.

 — Luke Kateman, Rosedale

North Shore Rail Trail could be made safer

Accolades to all the local officials for their efforts to finish the newly completed North Shore Rail Trail, which stretches from Mount Sinai to Wading River and is an excellent resource for safe exercising. As one who cycles this trail many times a week, I have noticed an area for improvement.

Putting up a guardrail at the convergence of Echo Avenue and Route 25A would add safety for all who use the trail. Two lanes of eastbound traffic jostle for a single lane after turning off 25A onto Echo Avenue, especially during the evening commute. Minimal cost would add immeasurable safety to this beautiful trail.

 — Peter A. Rogers, Miller Place