Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro alerts City agencies to hazardous traffic ‘hot spots’ on the North Shore
Traffic lights and street signs obscured by overgrown trees on Manor Road, Van Duzer Street and Victory Boulevard
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today alerted the Parks Department and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to many locations on the North Shore where overgrown trees are blocking traffic lights and street signs.
“Over the past few years, I have warned about the dangers of tree branches, overgrown hedges, and high weeds obscuring traffic lights and street signs,” said Molinaro. “Unfortunately, the examples are everywhere, especially along Manor Rd., Van Duzer St., and Victory Blvd.
“This is a public safety issue and I have alerted the Parks Department and DOT to these ‘hot spots’,” Molinaro added. “In many cases, trees are hiding the traffic light and the motorist doesn’t see it until he’s right at the light, where he may not be able to stop in time if it’s red.
“In addition, when trees are covering street signs, it makes it difficult for motorists to find their destinations, so they tend to look out their side windows to check where they’re going, instead of looking straight ahead at traffic,” Molinaro continued.
“This is a problem not only with City curb trees, but trees and hedges on private property as well,” Molinaro said. “Many homeowners may be unaware that their property is literally ‘branching out’ into the street and posing a traffic hazard.”
Section 1115 of New York State traffic law prohibits the interference with official traffic-control devices, including stop signs and yield signs. In addition, Section 319 of New York City Highway Law prohibits private trees and shrubs from blocking road signs.
To alert City agencies to hazardous locations, Molinaro has created a system where callers to his Helpline at (718) 816-2000 can report overgrown areas to the Parks Department or Department of Transportation.
“Clearing these danger zones will help prevent traffic and pedestrian accidents,” Molinaro said. “I want to thank the Parks Department and DOT for working with me in this ongoing effort to improve traffic flow and safety on our roadways.”
July 6, 2007