A Safer Main Street
Smithtown Residents
for a Safer Main Street
On March 5, 2011 following another death, again at Main Street and Lawrence Avenue in Smithtown, we created a Facebook group by this name to have a place to enact change. By voicing opinions and connecting as a group, we could share ideas, organize events and actions that would result in making Main Street safer for pedestrians. Join us by joining this group today!
Many of the ideas from this group were represented in Mark Mancini's design plans for this stretch of road. His plans can be seen at this link. These were presented to the Town of Smithtown on May 10, 2011 and to the DOT, County, and State officials, and community members on May 26, 2011.
On May 26, 2011 a very promising meeting was held to discuss the safety on Main Street and discuss potential solutions. Read more at Legislator Kennedy's announcement HERE, and from an article in the Smithtown Times HERE.
A petition was started on June 5, 2011. Read and sign the petition HERE.
US Senator Chuck Schumer has requested that the Federal Highways Administration work with the New York State Department of Transportation to fix the road to make the area safer for pedestrians. See the press release and his letter to these agencies, HERE.
Track record of serious injuries and deaths since November, 2009 on Main Street in Smithtown
November 24, 2009 Courtney Renee Sipes, 11 -died after being struck at Lawrence and Main Street by a hit and run driver, high on heroin and driving in excess of 60 mph in this 30 mph high pedestrian downtown area.
January, 2010 Charles Doonan, 65 - died in August, 2010 after suffering injuries from being struck on Main Street in January of 2010
February 27, 2011 Seamus Byrne, 33 - died after being hit while crossing Main Street at Lawrence Ave. He was an Afghanistan veteran who was walking home after celebrating his 33rd birthday with family and friends.
May 5, 2011 Mabel and Melody Burgos, 13 and 9 - suffered injuries - one serious - while being hit as the driver just started to drive when the light turned green.
Improvements made by the DOT since November, 2010
Iron fence installed along sidewalk along south side of Main Street, from Lawrence Ave. to Landing Ave. to route pedestrians to the crosswalks.
New crosswalk countown lights installed at intersections along Main Street.
Two on-street parking spaces removed and replaced with painted crosswalk lines at the intersection of Lawrence and Main Street.
New LED street lighting installed along Main Street
Other Improvements
Public Safety enforcing traffic laws
Suffolk County Aggressive Driving Task Force places 2 patrol cars in Main Street Area to address traffic violations.
Do you have ideas, comments or suggestions you'd like the group to hear but you aren't on Facebook?
Send us an email at safer.smithtown@gmail.org!!!
