New stop signs being ignored

The time has come for Bayside to stop at the new signs too.
Two new stops signs were recently installed on 39th Avenue after concerned resident, James McHale, contacted Councilmember Dan Halloran last summer requesting the signs are placed at the intersection of 39th Avenue and 208th Street.
According to Hale – a retired highway patrol officer – the intersection has been the site of many accidents over the 30 years he has been a resident of Bayside. He had been trying for years to convince the city to install stop signs on the avenue, but to no avail. Similar streets nearby, such as those off Bell Boulevard and 38th Avenue featured four-way stops. In addition to the two new stop signs, the city also installed “Stop Ahead” signs on the avenue as drivers approach the intersection.
What concerned the councilmember was the lack of driver attention to the newly installed signs. Halloran says that in one hour, he personally witnessed over 50 cars drive straight through the new stop sign with hardly any regard. Some vehicles approached speeds of about 40 miles per hour. Several neighbors who drive through the intersection regularly told Halloran that they did not notice the brand-new sign.
Per Halloran’s request, the 111th Precinct is stationing a unit on 38th Avenue to enforce the stop signs and the city will send a line crew to further mark the area with stop lines and street markings in the near future.
“I thank the DOT and Commissioner [Maura] McCarthy for being responsive to this request, and I thank the commanding officer of the precinct for a prompt response,” said Halloran. “Additionally, Assemblymember Braunstein’s support made a huge difference. Now that the new signs are here, they will make this neighborhood a safer place, as soon as the drivers take notice.”