Speed Limit Changes Won't Help, Say West Islip Patch Readers

It seems more than a few West Islip residents aren’t very hopeful that proposed speed changes on Higbie Lane and Udall Road will slow down drivers and increase safety.

As Patch reported earlier this week, the Town of Islip Board will be setting public hearing on decreasing traffic speed in several areas of West Islip. The proposal come directly from residents’ requests, according to town documents.

But while those residents believe reducing speed from 35 to 30 or 25 to 20 along the roadways will make travel safer for both drivers and pedestrians, other residents note that without enforcement the speed changes don’t make any difference.

Reader Bryan Keahon didn’t mince words on his view: “Not a chance,” in answering the question Patch posed on its Facebook page regarding whether the speed limit changes would make a difference.

“They can enforce it all they want but it doesn't matter. These fools still speed. We need more police on the road to catch them,” wrote Jean Donovan, whose sentiments were echoed by Brian Clark.

”No, they need better enforcement by SCPD, they often turn a blind eye to traffic infractions,” he wrote.

Andy Craig doesn’t think changing the limit will be a good move and could actually present additional traffic safety issues.

“Parking the radar trailer on Higbie Lane once in a while is not enforcement. That needs to be improved, you can make the speed limit anything you want but it doesn't matter if its not followed up on. In the meantime you’re making it slower for those that do obey the limits,” he wrote.

Michael Logiudice proposes a creative solution to both the speeding issue and the vacant Lagrange Inn property that many residents have opinions about.