Photo: In an effort to alert the community about dangerous streets by their school, the students of Class 301 at PS 207 have researched state law and written an article for The Forum. Additionally, the students have petitioned their local representatives for signs that indicate that it is a state law to yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk. Courtesy of the Rockwood Park School, PS 207
Did you know that New York State has a law that motorists must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk? This law states: “When there is no traffic control signal, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians, particularly if the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or there is a potential danger to a pedestrian (Section 1151, NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law).
As members of the Howard Beach community, as well as students at The Rockwood Park School P.S./M.S 207, we feel that it would be in the best interest of the citizens of our wonderful community to have signs put in place on or near the crosswalks by our school that inform motorists of this law.
As many of you know, our school is located on 88th Street between 159th and 160th Avenues. It is very difficult to cross these streets safely without the presence of a crossing guard. Installing signs will limit the number of accidents involving pedestrians. A few years ago, a student was struck by a car after dismissal while crossing 160th Avenue. No crossing guard was present at the time. Although the number of accidents involving pedestrians have been rare in this area, we would like to keep it that way.
On May 21st, our class walked to the corner of 159th Avenue to conduct a small study of the effectiveness of the signs that are already in place at the crosswalk. Our teachers stood in the crosswalk while cars were traveling up and down the road. Not a single car yielded so that our teacher could cross safely!
We also believe that these signs will help to reduce the excessive speeds that are reached on these avenues by some motorists. No traffic signals or stop signs are present on the streets mentioned between Cross Bay Boulevard and 84th Street.
As active members of the Howard Beach community, we are asking that you support our mission to make Howard Beach a safer place for all by placing these new effective traffic signs that clearly depict that it is a New York State law to yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Remember while walking in our beautiful community to always be aware of your surroundings. Also, while driving past crosswalks in our neighborhood, please be mindful of pedestrians and yield for them so that they may cross the street safely!
By Class 301, P.S./M.S. 207
