Spurred by concerned civic activists, the Nassau County Department of Public Works has released a comprehensive traffic study report that outlines several safety recommendations for Salisbury Park Drive.

The winding Westbury thoroughfare has been the site of numerous automobile accidents over the past 10 years, eight of them fatal, and the county is now committing to a plan to improve road safety conditions.

The report, released late last month, outlines 19 recommendations for the troubled road. It comes just weeks after the most recent tragedy on the drive claimed the life of a Hicksville teen, in an automobile crash on Sept. 2.

Included in the recommendations are plans to install larger traffic signal lights throughout the length of the drive, and change the existing passing zone alongside the golf course to a no passing zone, as well as install stop signs and restrict parking along that section. The county also intends to install a permanent speed awareness device in that section, a residential area between Pilgrim Lane and Carman Avenue, known as the "P" section.

Joseph Pecora, commissioner of Nassau County Department of Public Works, said the recommendations will be implemented, "as quickly as possible." He added that the actions would be taken, "probably within the next couple of weeks."

"All of the things that the county can implement, we're moving on as we speak," he said, noting the county has also requested that the Town of Hempstead take action on matters under its jurisdiction, such as lights and signage.

Pecora noted that the agency worked very closely with the Community Association of Stewart Avenue (CASA) and the East Meadow Civic Association (EMCA) in preparing the report. Approximately four engineers and technicians from the DPW Traffic Engineering Division worked on the report, which took approximately four months to complete.

Pecora also commended Ray Ribeiro, head of the Traffic Engineering Division, who had been criticized by EMCA for delays in the release of the report. "I think he and his staff did an excellent job on this," said the DPW chief.

Legislator Dennis Dunne, who represents Salisbury, in a meeting with the East Meadow Civic Association (EMCA) at the East Meadow firehouse on Carman Avenue on Sept. 26, said, "We're urging the county to immediately implement those recommendations." He added, "Haste makes waste. We don't want anyone else hurt," noting that after the recommendations are implemented, the road will be reviewed to see if further action is needed to make it safer. He said he expects the county Legislature to approve any necessary funding for the measures.

Robert Zafonte, president of EMCA and chairman of the group's Salisbury Park Drive Traffic Safety Task Force, said of the recommendations, "Each one helps to make the road safer." He added, "This task force is going to continue to monitor the situation."

"You can't allow the speeding down this roadway to go unchecked," said Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes, who was also at the meeting. "Is it going to cure the problem? No. But we're trying to help."

Ed Gold, an EMCA task force member who has owned a home on Salisbury Park Drive for 40 years and has had many close calls with speeding vehicles while trying to back out of his driveway, welcomed the proposed actions. "There are characteristics of that road that do not make it an average roadway," he said, citing the golf course that abuts the winding pathway, the curves, and the non-intersecting traffic that is conducive to speeding. "I've had many [parked] cars demolished on that road. Cars just hit them." He added that he feels he and his wife will be more secure driving on the road with the new safety regulations.

Dick Cardozo, a task force member, Salisbury resident and firefighter in the East Meadow fire department who has responded to the scene of the many of the accidents on Salisbury Park Drive, said he thinks it is one of the top 10 most dangerous roads in Nassau County. "People are frustrated. They want something done," he said.

Beverlee Szimanski, president of CASA, commenting on the recommendations, stated, "As a resident of Salisbury and president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue, I am pleased that Nassau County will be implementing the majority of road improvements that were requested during our many meetings and discussions." She added, "I am aware that putting these things in place will not prevent all accidents from occurring, but they will improve driving conditions on the major roads in our community."

Some community members feel that people, on their own free will, will continue to engage in speeding and other risky driving habits that cause accidents on the road, but hope that the new regulations will improve the overall safety conditions. "We can't stop people from violating the law. We can just give them the tools to make them aware," said Helen Meittinis, a Salisbury resident and CASA board member.

Some aspects of the county recommendations were already implemented before the release of the report. For example, the Town of Hempstead had already installed some larger signal lenses. Other actions slated include installing larger speed limit signs and pavement markings, additional speed limit signs, increasing the yellow clearance interval and/or the all red clearance intervals for several signals, changing the right-most-through lane at the intersection of Salisbury Park Drive and Carman Avenue to a right-turn-only lane, installing stop bars in the "P" section, requesting 24-hour police checkpoints, relocation of the Carman Avenue bus shelter, and additional pedestrian signals and crosswalks.