With the warmer Spring and Summer months now arriving, almost every day, children as young as ten years old cross the highway Route 29 coming from the Intrada Saratoga Springs Apartments. This road has a speed limit of 30 miles per hour prior to the bridge, which is often times ignored by drivers exceeding the speed limit by up to 10 miles. Vehicles anywhere from regular SUVs to Semi-Trucks utilize this road. Numerous close calls have been seen and soon an accident may occur.

These children are crossing the road to reach the West Hill Plaza, which houses Family Dollar and West Ave Pizza. While there is a cross walk further up the road at the intersection of West Ave and Washington Street (Rte. 29), it is not practical nor used by these children as it requires not only going out of the way but then backtracking to reach West Hill Plaza.

If the city were to work on implementing a cross walk alongside Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) near the intersection of Freeman Lane and Washington Street (Rte. 29), they can help protect the many children who cross. RRFBs consist of two, rectangular-shaped yellow indications, each with a light-emitting diode (LED)-array-based light source. RRFBs flash with an alternating high frequency, when activated by a button press, to enhance conspicuity of pedestrians at the crossing to drivers. You may find one nearby on Route 29 next to the intersection of Bensonhurst Ave and Washington Street (Rte. 29).

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, RRFBs can reduce crashes up to 47%, and increase motorist yielding rates by up to 98%.

Minita Sanghvi

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