Staten Islanders’ Improper Use Of Bus Lanes Causing Accidents On Hylan Blvd
Staten Islanders’ Improper Use Of Bus Lanes Causing Accidents On Hylan Blvd
Editor’s note: Islanders are being reminded to use the bus lanes properly. Bus lane rules are not spelled out when you are on the road. So you must already know where it is acceptable for a car to enter the lane to make the turn. In most instances, there are no dashed lines indicating you can enter the lane. So drivers must know where and why you can enter a bus lane. This includes the block before your right turn and to drop off or pick up passengers on the sidewalk. It’s also only in effect at certain times. But some drivers have taken to trying to avoid the situation altogether, and in so doing are causing a serious hazard – and accidents. Staten Island is supposed to soon be getting more express buses on the schedule to alleviate issues related to traveling into Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone. However, as recent press conferences have revealed, the state of bus service locally is not filling the necessary gap. Staten Island has one of the longest commutes in the city.
PSA: Bus lanes on Hylan Blvd are closed to traffic only between 6 AM to 9 AM in the Verrazano-bound lane, and 3 PM to 7 PM in the Tottenville-bound lane. All other hours, all vehicles can travel in these lanes. And, at all times, including the “bus lane” hours, any vehicle can enter the lane within one block to make a right-handed turn.
There has been a recent spike in dangerous driving on Hylan Boulevard, where vehicles have made an unlawful right-handed turn from the middle lane. This dangerous behavior has contributed to 32 accidents this year, 7 in the last month alone.
BP Vito Fossella
The Office of the Borough President has a responsibility to advocate for the entire Borough of Staten Island and all its residents, and represents the Borough's interests within City government. The Borough President communicates directly with the Mayor and the City Council to emphasize Staten Island’s budget priorities. In addition, the Borough President is responsible for reviewing major land use decisions and proposing sites for city facilities within the Borough. As the chair of the Borough Board, the Borough President leads Staten Island’s City Council delegation and Community Board chairs in the process of reviewing and approving the transfer of public properties to private use. The Borough President’s Office houses the Borough's Topographical Bureau, which maintains the borough’s official maps and assigns street addresses. The Borough President monitors the delivery of city services on Staten Island, and acts as a liaison between residents and city agencies when problems arise to devise solutions. The Borough President is also responsible for appointing one member to the Panel for Educational Policy and one member to the City Planning Commission, as well as some 150 members to Staten Island’s three community boards.
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