Crime & Safety

A Friendly Reminder From The Garden City Police Department

A pedestrian crossing 13th Street at Franklin Avenue was struck by a vehicle making a right turn at a red traffic signal without stopping.

Ernest J. Cipullo, commissioner of the Garden City Police Department, would like to remind motorists of the laws regarding making right turns when the traffic light indicates a steady red signal.

As stated in the New York State traffic law, all vehicles must come to a complete stop at a steady red traffic signal.

"When your vehicle is stopped and there are no signs prohibiting a right turn, you may then make a right turn only after yielding to oncoming vehicles as well as pedestrians. Not coming to a complete stop or not yielding to a pedestrian can result in serious injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists," he said.

"Many motorists will slow down when approaching a red traffic light but not come to a complete stop before making a right turn. This can prove to be very dangerous. Pedestrians and bicyclists may be standing near a curb when this happens making it difficult for a motorist making the right turn to see them. In addition, when a motorist makes a right turn without stopping, it is very difficult to gauge the speed and movement of oncoming traffic therefore increasing the likelihood of an accident.”

Just recently, a pedestrian crossing 13th Street at Franklin Avenue was struck by a vehicle making a right turn at a red traffic signal without stopping.

The Garden City Police Department will be targeting motorists who fail to stop at red traffic signals prior to making a right turn. Failure to stop at a red traffic signal before making a right turn is a moving violation which carries a penalty of three points and a $205 fine.

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