Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. declares hidden traffic safety devices ‘Islandwide problem’
Molinaro calls on City agencies to launch emergency tree pruning initiative immediately
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – A month after launching his overgrowth awareness campaign, Borough President James P. Molinaro today declared hidden traffic control devices an “Islandwide problem,” and called on the City to launch an emergency tree pruning initiative immediately, before the hazardous situation causes an accident, injury, or even death.
“After working several weeks with the Parks Department and the Department of Transportation to clear dangerous locations where overgrown trees, hedges and weeds are blocking traffic lights and stop signs, it’s become obvious that the situation has gotten out of hand and become an Islandwide problem,” said Molinaro.
“I believe immediate pruning needs to be carried out across the Borough on a broad scale,” Molinaro added. “I urge the Parks Department to use all available resources in the public and private sectors to launch an emergency tree pruning initiative before this hazardous situation affects public safety. I am also calling on the Department of Transportation to issue warnings to homeowners whose trees and hedges block traffic control devices.
Molinaro wants to remind homeowners that 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.
“Clearing these danger zones will help prevent traffic and pedestrian accidents,” Molinaro said. “It is time to start enforcing the guidelines that are in place. I hope that Staten Islanders will be responsive to my request to complete the necessary pruning before DOT takes enforcement action, which can result in significant fines.
“Let’s not wait until a motorist runs through a stop sign hidden by high weeds,” said Molinaro. “Let’s not wait until a pedestrian gets hit by a car whose driver didn’t see the red light obscured by a tree. Let’s not wait until a motorist gets into an accident because he was looking out his side window for a blocked street sign instead of straight ahead at traffic. Let’s take action now before it’s too late.”
Molinaro asks Staten Islanders to call his Helpline at (718) 816-2000 to report hazardous locations, or visit his website at www.StatenIslandUSA.com.
July 30, 2007