On Friday, 12-year old Dashane Santana was killed by the driver of a minivan on Delancey Street. Today State Assembly Sheldon Silver is out with a letter he wrote to Transportation Department Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan:
I am writing to you once again in the wake of a tragic death on Delancey Street. The recent accident which took the life of 1 2-year-old Dashane Santana is yet another reminder that we must act immediately to improve safety conditions for pedestrians at several dangerous intersections on Delancey Street. As I suggested several months ago, on the heels of a report detailing the large number of vehicle accidents on Delancey, the Department of Transportation (DOT) should undertake a comprehensive safety study and recommend improvements that would enhance protections for pedestrians at several intersections. In the meantime, there are several measures that could be implemented right away for the benefit of my Lower East Side community. I am asking that the DOT post pedestrian managers at the most dangerous intersections of Delancey, including Clinton Street, where this latest accident occurred. With traffic coming on and off the Williamsburg Bridge and a wide area for pedestrians to cross, there is an urgent need for a more aggressive approach to safety. At the very least, managers should be required during school hours and other peak periods. This arrangement was implemented on West Street following community concerns and it has been quite successful. In addition to pedestrian managers, I ask that the green light for pedestrians be extended so that people have more time to safely cross. We simply cannot wait for another tragedy to occur. Delancey crossings must be made safer for all those who use the streets, and special care must be taken for children and seniors. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
