I never thought I would find myself writing a letter to the editor, but the anarchic nature of current-day Plandome Road (specifically the northern half) has piqued my frustration.
Plandome Road is rapidly approaching the point of no return from a Mad Max-style thoroughfare dominated by havoc and chaos, so much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing monster trucks laden with gigantic amps, guitar players and fireworks bulldozing everything in their path….laughing their way all the way past the 6th Precinct.
Hyperbole aside, the number of double-parking and U-turns on Plandome Road is at an all-time high.
Plandome Road has essentially become a six-lane road—two parking strips, two double-parking strips, and two very narrow lanes for actual drivers (and U-turners) to try and maneuver. It is unlikely that we will see another parking lot constructed in Manhasset, so there is only one answer to this, and that is enforcement from the Nassau County Police Department.
I certainly understand that patrol officers cannot, and should not, be stationed 24/7 on Plandome Road, ticketing every driver malfeasance that they witness. However, they do have a responsibility to maintain some sort of order in Manhasset’s downtown, and they have been resoundingly negligent in that regard.
Pedestrian safety is obviously a major concern for residents throughout our community. The evidence for that is plainly seen in the prolific rise in stop signs at every intersection throughout every village and unincorporated street in Manhasset. It is time to shift our focus to our downtown.
I am sure my message here will anger about 50% of Manhasset’s residents, which is fine. To the other half, though, I implore you to contact the 6th Precinct and even our local elected officials to urge for increased enforcement of the double-parking and U-Turning on Plandome Road.
Otherwise, this problem will only persist and deteriorate as time drags on, making Plandome Road impossible to navigate during peak traffic hours, or, worse, someone actually gets hurt.
Mike Anderson
Manhasset
