Long Island Pedestrians continue to live in dangerous conditions:
As we reported earlier this week, conditions continue to remain unsafe to walk/jog/cycle around these parts.

Here's hoping Newsday does some hard-hitting reporting and figure out what's going on here. Maybe all these accidents are just the cost of doing business around here, but it sure feels dangerous.

Pedestrian critically hurt in Southampton accident
BY JOSEPH MALLIA | joseph.mallia@newsday.com
7:45 AM EST, November 14, 2008
A pedestrian was critically injured Thursday night when he stepped off a sidewalk onto a Southampton highway and into the path of a passing car, police said.

The man, 25, whose name was not released pending notification of his family, was listed in extremely critical condition at Southampton Hospital and was expected to be transferred to the trauma center at Stony Brook University Hospital, police said.

The 9:43 p.m. accident took place as a 1989 Buick sedan was traveling west in the left lane of County Road 39 near a Burger King restaurant, and the man stepped off the north curb onto the road, police said.

The Buick's driver, Paulina Loretto Castro Duarte, 27, did not see the man because he was wearing all dark clothing, police said. EMPHASIS MINE-ed. LINK

Wall of Shame Returns
This actually goes part in parcel with my theme of road safety. It's hard enough to focus on the road sober, but to get behind the wheel intoxicated puts me in danger. And that's unacceptable.

While I agree with the original format of this program--where those accused of DUI were posted--I recognize the need to respect the rights of the innocent.

Also noteworthy is that this now enables me to post pictures of the guilty with my witty commentary. God bless America.

Abridged version of 'Wall of Shame' back up on Web site
BY ANN GIVENS | ann.givens@newsday.com
7:37 PM EST, November 13, 2008
Nassau County's "Wall of Shame" returned Thursday to the county Web site in a much slimmed-down version, this time including the names only of people who have been convicted - not merely accused - of drunken driving.

The revival of the wall includes the names and photos of 113 people who have been convicted of drunken and drugged driving offenses since Memorial Day weekend. It comes three weeks after County Executive Thomas Suozzi pulled it down following a judge's decision that the wall violated the rights of a woman whose name and photo were posted there. LINK

Labels: Long Island