To: Nassau County Department of Public Works, Nassau County Legislators, Town of Hempstead Officials

A Safer Carman Avenue for Pedestrians, Families, and Local Businesses.

We, the undersigned, urge Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to install a pedestrian crosswalk on Carman Avenue, connecting the municipal parking lot near Land Lane to the businesses on the opposite side of the street.

Why This Crosswalk is Urgently Needed 

1. Preventing Accidents & Slowing Down Speeding Cars: Carman Avenue is a busy county road where speeding is a constant issue. Pedestrians, including families, seniors, and local workers, are forced to cross multiple lanes of traffic without any clear pedestrian right-of-way. The closest existing crosswalk is at a dangerous intersection where multiple accidents have already occurred. Adding a pedestrian crosswalk (or even a pedestrian-activated crossing light) in this commercial corridor will not only make it safer to cross the street but also help slow down traffic by signaling to drivers that they are entering a pedestrian-heavy area. Research has shown that marked crosswalks can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 40% on two-lane roads and help naturally slow down vehicles in busy area.          

2. Lack of Municipal Parking & New Parking Restrictions Are Increasing Risk: Unlike the opposite side of Carman Avenue, which has a municipal parking lot, there is currently no designated municipal parking on this side of the street. As a result, many customers and employees of Salisbury Tavern and other local businesses must park across Carman Avenue, forcing them to cross a dangerous road multiple times per visit. To make matters worse, recent parking restrictions imposed by a neighboring business have further reduced available parking for customers and employees. The combination of a lack of municipal parking on this side of the street and increased parking restrictions has created a situation where more people are crossing Carman Avenue at unsafe points. A clearly marked crosswalk is now essential to protect pedestrians. While long-term parking solutions may need to be explored in the future, the immediate priority is to provide a safe way for people to cross. A pedestrian crosswalk will significantly reduce the risk of accidents, improve accessibility, and ensure that customers and employees can get to businesses safely.

3. Supporting Local Businesses & Encouraging Walkability: Studies show that improving pedestrian access directly benefits businesses by increasing customer visits and overall economic activity. A study by the National Association of City Transportation Officials found that pedestrian-friendly street improvements can increase retail sales by up to 30% because safer, more accessible areas encourage more people to shop, dine, and explore. Adding a crosswalk won’t just benefit one business—it will support all businesses along Carman Avenue. By making the area safer and more accessible, we can encourage more foot traffic, benefiting every establishment in the area.

4. A Simple, Cost-Effective Fix That Benefits Everyone: A crosswalk is a straightforward, low-cost infrastructure improvement that has been proven to enhance safety and economic activity in commercial districts. Cities and counties across the country have implemented similar pedestrian safety measures with success. With the increasing number of people crossing Carman Avenue daily, waiting until an accident happens to take action would be irresponsible. This is a simple, common-sense fix that would improve safety, support businesses, and create a more accessible, community-friendly environment.

We Call on Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to Take Action Now

By signing this petition, we urge Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to take immediate action to protect public safety and support local economic growth by approving and installing a safe pedestrian crosswalk on Carman Avenue.