Tragedy Waiting to Happen at the Corner of Cortelyou & CIA

I remember when there had been no street light at the corner of Cortelyou Road and Coney Island Avenue (CIA), and you had to walk further down the block on CIA, where there is a traffic light, to get across safely. So, when a traffic light was installed at this busy intersection, I was thrilled.

Well, it hasn't quite worked out the way it was intended. On the contrary, the traffic light has added confusion and the real possibility of someone being hurt or killed, because while pedestrians are getting a walk signal, the oncoming traffic does not have any overhead traffic light directing them to stop. Hence, you have people crossing when the light says walk and cars making hard and fast turns off of Cortelyou onto Coney Island Avenue, thinking they can just go.

There have been numerous times even after I have signaled to drivers, with my hands up in a stop position, that they have sped up to cut me off, or they just drive on after I have crossed. The purpose of a traffic light is so pedestrians can cross the street safely, and clearly this isn't happening.

We need to have a traffic light at the corner of Cortelyou and Coney Island Avenue that signals to the cars to STOP! and allow the pedestrians to cross without taking their lives into their hands every time they do. I want to emphasize that there are children from Ditmas Junior High, as well as parents with children that attend P.S. 139 crossing at this intersection, along with parents with baby carriages, seniors, etc. Let's get this done, and let's get it done right away.

This writer has made an attempt using the DOT website to request a new traffic signal, but the online request form did not go through, and I was given this reason: "STREETS INTERSECT TWICE-88 FT BETWEEN INTERSECTIONS. COMPASS DIRECTION REQ'D." There were no instructions on how to obtain compass directions or how to input them. I have left my number with the office of DOT Keith Bray Brooklyn Borough Commissioner, and hopefully will get a call back. I have also contacted the office of City Council Member Shahana Hanif by phone and sent them an email detailing the situation along with a picture of the intersection. Stay tuned!