Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro: seeing is believing, not seeing is dangerous for motorists and pedestrians
Call B.P.’s Helpline to report traffic control devices obscured by trees, high weeds
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – In his ongoing initiative to improve traffic safety, Borough President James P. Molinaro today is asking Staten Islanders to call his Helpline at (718) 816-2000 to report locations on private or public property where overgrown trees, hedges, and high weeds are compromising safety by blocking street signs, traffic lights, and stop signs.
“Over the past few years, I have warned about the dangers of overgrown vegetation obscuring traffic lights and stop signs,” said Molinaro. “The examples are everywhere.
“Public safety is at stake,” Molinaro added. “If a motorist can’t see a stop sign or traffic light, the result can be an accident, injury, or even death. When street signs are covered by tree branches or shrubs, it makes it difficult for motorists to find their destination, so they tend to look out their side windows to check where they’re going instead of looking straight ahead at traffic.”
If an overgrown location is on City property, the Borough President’s Helpline will notify the Parks Department. If the location is on private property, Helpline will notify the Department of Transportation. 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.
Molinaro asks Staten Island homeowners whose trees and hedges block road signs to comply with City law and complete the necessary pruning before DOT takes enforcement action, which can include significant fines.
“Clearing these danger zones will help prevent traffic and pedestrian accidents,” Molinaro said. “I invite Staten Islanders to contact my Helpline to report other dangerous locations. I also want to thank the Parks Department and DOT for working with me in this effort to enhance roadway safety for Staten Island motorists and pedestrians.”
May 1, 2007