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Letter: Should Greenburgh Pedestrians Wear Reflective Clothing?

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- The Greenburgh Daily Voice accepts signed and original letters to the editor up to 350 words. To submit your letter, email greenburgh@dailyvoice.com. 

Paul Feiner

Paul Feiner

Photo Credit: Greenburgh website

To the editor:

Almost every night, when I'm driving around town, I see pedestrians walking or jogging wearing very dark clothes. It's difficult to see them -- especially if they are crossing the street at the same time you want to cross the street. 

The city of Edmonton, Canada attempted to do something about this by starting an ad campaign (which they abandoned) asking pedestrians to wear reflective clothing. The town of Greenburgh has embarked on a campaign to improve pedestrian safety. We are building more sidewalks around town this month and will continue building more sidewalks around town in the future. 

We have started a task force to address motorcycle safety (a third meeting to plan a spring, 2017 initiative is planned for Wednesday night). We have placed digital speed boards around town. 

Earlier, a blinking crossroads light was installed on East Hartsdale Avenue and the Automobile Club of New York is awarding Greenburgh their highest pedestrian safety award later this month recognizing the town for our efforts to promote pedestrian safety. 

We are one of only three communities in the state that will receive this award. Sadly, there have been pedestrian fatalities in the town over the years. Some have taken place in the evening hours. Motorists need to be more careful and look out for pedestrians. 

But pedestrians should also be more careful. 

What are your experiences? Have you almost missed hitting a pedestrian because you did not see them? Do you think the Edmonton effort to encourage pedestrians to wear lighter or more reflective clothing makes sense? How would you improve what they started? Regardless of what this says, drivers CANNOT see people in dark clothing, especially at night. If we can’t see them how can we avoid them? 

Paul Feiner

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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