NewRoc Now

The one complaint I have in New Rochelle is the complete disregard for pedestrians in the downtown area.  Crossing North Ave., from the north to south (K Buidling to Chase Bank) is literally taking your life in your hands.  I have seen people killed there and I hope that I am not the next.  Granted turning traffic was not the cause for the death I have seen in traffic there but it is only a matter of time before someone is killed on that corner.

Speaking of North Ave. the crossing from the Metro North platform across North is an absolute joke as well.  There is no crosswalk, no yield to pedestrian signs, no police ever helping people cross and many people stranded in the middle of North trying to cross as cars dart down the street with no regard at all for pedestrians.  Again, the right turning traffic from Huguenot to North is a huge issue.  Since they installed the no turn on red sign drivers treat this as a racing turn to beat the red light with absolutely no regard for pedestrians.

Not only could the City make a mint ticketing reckless drivers on that corner one afternoon a week, but they could actually prevent a future death by making drivers more aware of pedestrians.  I do think that New Rochelle is negligent on enforcing these laws, especially on this corner, and lets hope that it does not become criminally negligent if someone is killed crossing that corner.

Even in front of my building on Memorial Highway I have seen cars actually speed up when pedestrians are crossing to catch the green light across Huguenot.  NRPD could be helping to save lives by ticketing reckless drivers on this street but instead they park their cars to block traffic on Memorial and the entrance ramp onto 95 rather than working.  NRPD seems to be unaware of the fact that there are automated signs for this purpose. Though I am aware of state laws that require some police presence it seems very stupid to waste police resources on blocking traffic when they could be helping to promote a safer community and potentially saving lives.

It seems to be a zero priority for the New Rochelle Police Department to enforce pedestrian access laws but I do hope that this can be changed before someone is killed crossing North Ave.,