Gov. Cuomo Unveils Traffic Safety Initiatives Following Deadly Farmingdale Car Crash
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a series of traffic safety initiatives that will be implemented on Conklin Street in Farmingdale, Long Island following a car accident that claimed the lives of several teenagers earlier this month.
On Thursday, Cuomo sent a letter to Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand detailing the safety measures the state is undertaking following the accident.
Gov. Cuomo Unveils Traffic Safety Initiatives Following Deadly Farmingdale Car Crash
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident on Conklin Street in Farmingdale that has claimed the lives of five local teenagers," the governor wrote. "It is clear that more must be done to help ensure the safety of drivers and residents in the area around Conklin Street. My administration will continue to take every available action we can through engineering, education, and enforcement to avoid tragic accidents like this in the future."
Five teenagers who were either current or former students at Farmingdale High School were riding in a 2001 Nissan when the vehicle crossed the center line on Conklin Street and collided with an GMC Suburban minutes after midnight last Saturday, police said.
Gov. Cuomo Unveils Traffic Safety Initiatives Following Deadly Farmingdale Car Crash
Police said they were investigating the possibilities of speed, drag racing, drinking and texting in the crash.
One of the safety initiatives has already been put in place.
The state installed two speed control trailers along Conklin Street this week to inform motorists of their speed and encourage them to obey speed limits.
Gov. Cuomo said the state will also install new radar technology that utilizes traffic signals to help control motorists speed. The radar device will be able to identify speeding drivers and change the traffic signal to red, forcing drivers to come to a stop.
The state is expected to install the first of these devices at the corner of Conklin and Walnut streets, near the site of the accident.
Longtime Farmingdale residents told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten it's about time something was done about the road.
"Governor Cuomo's definitely correct in what he wants to utilize, doing here is putting up a red light if someone's speeding along, then at least it'll turn red and well hopefully people will stop," Farmingdale resident Paul said.
Cuomo's Traffic Safety Committee will also work with traffic boards as well as the Nassau and Suffolk police departments to review ongoing efforts and recommend further courses of action.
The possibility of modifying lane configurations on Conklin Street is also being considered by the state.
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