Pedestrian Deaths Spark Outrage: Park Needs Traffic Upgrades, Say Advocates
Park Slope Courier
By Stephen Witt

[ Return to T.A. Quotes in the Media | Read the latest news on this issue ]

Following a fatal crash that claimed two lives, Transportation Alternatives (TA) recently demanded that safety improvements be implemented at the intersection of Parkside and Ocean Avenues.

The five-way pedestrian crossing intersection includes the Pergola Entrance to Prospect Park.

“The July 24 crash is a sad wake-up call to the city to make this intersection safer for everyone crossing it,” said Andrew McConnell, chair of the Brooklyn Committee of Transportation Alternatives and a resident living within sight of the intersection.

Interestingly, the cause of the fatal crash had more to do with a drunken driver than a problem with the intersection, according to police. In fact, police charged the motorist allegedly at fault in the accident, 50-year-old Gary Lewis of Midwood Street, with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license.

Regardless, McConnell and other TA members were at the intersection last Saturday collecting signatures on a petition calling for Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall to study the intersection and for a timely installation of the necessary traffic control measures to make it safer.

The crossing on the west side of the Parkside/Ocean Avenue intersection is particularly dangerous, and two lanes of traffic menace pedestrians who cross even with the “WALK” sign, according to the petition.

The petition also states that police have had to control the speed of motorists to allow for pedestrians crossing at the intersection. “Without more time to cross, a narrower street or slower driving, the intersection is a disaster waiting to happen,” McConnell said.

TA worker Amy Pfeiffer said that aside from any signal or narrowing the street, the DOT should consider creating a traffic circle or roundabout. Other similar Prospect Park entrances have these traffic circles such as at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West, and where the park meets up with Coney Island Avenue, the Prospect Expressway and Prospect Park Southwest. “This intersection would benefit from being designed the same way,” Pfeiffer said.
McConnell said the TA resident traffic engineer is also recommending adding dedicated left turn signals to the already dedicated left turn lanes, dedicated right turn signals, and allowing pedestrians three seconds to cross before any vehicles can make the turn; TA got over 300 signatures so far, but expect to get more at the next petition drive with the target being 500 signatures, said McConnell.

The group plans to send the petitions to DOT Brooklyn Commissioner Lori Ardito and City Councilmember Yvette Clarke

“We will be requesting a meeting with DOT and Yvette Clarke to address Flatbush residents’ concerns over this dangerous intersection,” he added.

Clarke agreed it would be worth the DOT’s time to look at the situation.

“The intersection has been that way for a long time and I'm glad TA has taken the time to raise concerns,” Clarke said.

DOT spokesperson Kay Sarlin said they have not heard anything from TA about the intersection as of yet and called the July accident tragic. “We're currently examining the intersection to see if any potential changes will be made,” she said.

[ Return to T.A. Quotes in the Media | Read the latest news on this issue ]