Letter: Enforce Cell Phone Laws
Friday, 07 September 2012 09:53
Recently I set out to run a few errands; I needed to take heavily traveled Hicksville Road, which is one lane in either direction. I quickly realized the small van in front of me was driving at about 20 MPH. I looked in my rear view mirror and there was a caravan of cars and trucks behind me. Just as I expected, the van’s driver was on his phone. He was oblivious to all the honking that was going on behind him. There was no escaping him until I drove up to the intersection. I wanted to give him a disgruntled look but I knew it was fruitless since he wasn’t remotely aware that the symphony of blaring horns was being directed at him.
That was just one violation in the course of the day. It seemed that whenever I stopped at a light there were drivers on their phones. This is a common occurrence not only on local roads; parkway driving doesn’t fare much better. The texting is out of control also. I saw a driver with reading material propped up on the steering wheel and a phone cradled in his neck – driving in the left lane no less. The ability to multi-task is great but not while driving. While doing my round of errands, I am aware there are people all around me talking on their phones. The guy pumping my gas, one hand on the pump the other on his phone. Then there was a gentleman in the supermarket who was calling home to see if he could substitute one cereal for another. Walking through the mall I observe men, women and teenagers – all on their phones. While in a dressing room, I think someone is talking to me from the next stall only to realize she was on her phone describing what she was trying on to the party on the other end. This is how it went the entire day. I know first hand that one of the privileges that is taken away from kids when they are out of line – their phone.
At the end of the day my husband and I go down to the beach to walk the boardwalk and watch the sunset. There are couples walking hand in hand, and one of them is on their phone while the other partner takes in the view solo. Cell phones are definitely needed in today’s world but so are laws. With all the manpower we have on the streets more diligence should be paid to these offenders and between all the other infractions, speeding, red light observance and expired registrations, a more aggressive approach to enforce these laws with fines just might help with the deficits that both counties are experiencing while at the same time making driving safer for the rest of us that have respect for the law.
Diane Sciacchitano
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
Moving Pictures
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Private Power Isn’t Our Only Option
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
