Senator Young Calls For A Traffic Study After Two Students Hurt Walking Near Falconer Middle-High School

ALBANY – In the wake of a motor vehicle accident that caused two students to be hospitalized, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) has urged to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to review serious traffic safety concerns.

In early April, two students suffered injuries after they were struck by a car while walking near Falconer Middle-High School. School and village officials subsequently contacted Senator Young, asking for New York State to address the potential dangers of the intersection of East Avenue and NYS Route 394. 

In response to the renewed concerns expressed by area residents, Senator Young has written to the DOT Regional Director, asking that the department again conduct a study regarding the potential for a traffic light to be placed where the crosswalk currently exists.

“The safety of our children should be everyone’s utmost priority. This hazardous intersection continues to be plagued with problems, and the situation deserves another thorough review. The conditions at the intersection warrant the DOT’s serious attention, so that the circumstances are not repeated again in the future,” Senator Young said.

“The area around Falconer Middle-High School is a heavy traffic area, and the lack of a traffic signal raises compelling safety issues. Nearly all of the students at Falconer walk to school. Fortunately, the injuries that the two students suffered from the accident were not life-threatening, but this issue warrants attention before anyone else is injured,” she said.

Senator Young has written to the DOT on several occasions previously asking for traffic studies of the intersection to be conducted. In 2012, the state studied the feasibility of installing a flashing traffic signal at the intersection that was controlled by a pedestrian push button.  However, the study ultimately determined that such a signal operation was not allowed, and that the location did not warrant the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon.

Following the most recent accident, Senator Young was contacted by Village of Falconer Mayor James Rensel and Falconer Central School District Superintendent Stephen Penhollow, requesting that the state perform another study of the location.