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HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Driving safety is a concern in most communities and Hastings is no different, which is why the board of trustees recently discussed ways to keep its streets safer.
Trustee Meg Walker said she is concerned are the use of cellphones while driving and other traffic issues. However, she said the biggest issue is speeding in the village and noted that the speed limit is 25 miles per hour unless posted otherwise.
Studies have shown that if a driver hits a pedestrian at 40 miles per hour there is an 80 percent chance that pedestrian will be killed, Walker said. If the driver hits them at 30 miles per hour, there is an 80 percent chance that pedestrian will live.
Speed bumps, speed humps and other methods of slowing drivers down were discussed by the board at Tuesday's meeting. Hastings Chief of Police David Bloomer said the most effective way of curbing speeding is the new electronic message board that has been seen around town recently.
The message board weve been wanting for years, Bloomer said. Not only will it work as a speed limit, it can do a number of other things. Its really only limited by your imagination.
The signs can run for as much as $21,000, but the police department had been renting a used one, which cost approximately $9,000. Bloomer said that with a grant Lt. David Dosin had found, the department could save an additional $5,000 on the sign.
I cannot put a police officer everywhere someone wants one, Bloomer said. This sign can be used to supplement that.
The police department will continue to test out the sign in various parts of the village before any further action will be taken.
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