Hi everyone,
This is the first time I've posted to the list.  I certainly don't want to start a flame war, but I need to share my experience in light of the recent discussion regarding traffic and pedestrian safety on Queensbury Road.  I've been meaning to post this for some time, but honestly I am still so frightened over what happened to me that I don't like discussing it.  But I feel now is the time to share my concerns over my and my child's safety as pedestrians in our town.
On Wednesday, June 13th at around 12:30 PM, my (then 9 month-old) son and I were very nearly hit by a speeding car while we crossed Route One at Queensbury Road, in the crosswalk, and while crossing legally at the walk sign (the pedestrian signs were still working then).  I had to yank my baby's stroller out of the car's path with such force that I actually pulled a muscle in my chest.  He was making a left turn from Queensbury onto Rte. 1 southbound (from the Calvert House side of the intersection) and I was crossing from the Exxon side to the Rite Aid side of the intersection.  I felt this was safer than crossing at the Calvert House side, as cars making a right turn onto Rte. 1 northbound red whip around the corner so fast without stopping that I was afraid they wouldn't even see me till it was too late.
Anyway, this guy was headed straight for us, and accelerating to beat the light, but somehow wasn't really SEEING us, if you understand what I mean.  I think maybe he was talking on a cell phone.  I screamed, "Stop, stop, stop!!!" and finally he did stop.  I was shaking and almost in tears - I said, (and somehow I restrained myself from completely cussing him out) "You've GOT to be more careful!" and he proceeded to curse me out fully, called me every name in the book, and pointed to the pedestrian sign, which by then was a flashing red hand, with I think 10 seconds left in the countdown, as if to indicate that I was at fault.  
So in light of this experience, my question is this:  Is there anything that can be done to increase driver awareness of pedestrians in Riverdale?  All of the new walk signs and the reformatted crosswalks are great (when they're working, LOL), but drivers still don't seem to be too aware of pedestrians. I love to take my son out for walks, and so often I find that drivers are in such a hurry, they just don't expect or consider pedestrians in their surroundings.  Is there any way to provide some sort of educational signage on the meaning of the walk/don't walk signs, so drivers understand what to expect from pedestrians crossing the streets?  Also, is there any way to stop the gridlock on Rte. 1?  I will no longer go to the Farmer's Market if I cannot make it there before 4 PM, because weaving through the rush-hour traffic stopped over the crosswalks and blocking the intersection at Rte. 1 and Queensbury is too heart-stopping for my tastes, even if I go alone.
Is there something else I should be doing to keep myself and my baby safe?  I try very hard to stay constantly hyper-aware of my surroundings and NEVER cross anywhere but a crosswalk and only at the correct signal, but is there something else I should do?  Should I just accept defeat and give up on crossing Rte. 1 at all, or do I simply have to give up our walks altogether and drive everywhere?
I understand the concerns about Queensbury Road as well, because I live on Queensbury and the 4-way intersection at Queensbury and 44th Ave is terrifying too.  Drivers absolutely fly through the stop signs - many, many times in the course of a day I see drivers actually accelerate through the stop signs.  Woe to the unaware pedestrian or stray pet that might be caught in their path!  
Although, I have noticed that occasionally we have a Riverdale Park police officer parked in his cruiser on 44th, to catch people running the stop signs, and I really and truly appreciate the effort by the township to devote an officer to patrolling our intersection.  Problem is, there isn't too much foliage for his car to hide behind over there and most people spot him and stop, but he does manage to snag a few of the truly clueless ones!
Well, I'm sorry for the super-long post but I wanted you all to hear of my experience and concerns as a pedestrian and a mom.
Thanks for your time,
Jenny Wright
