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Second Crash Into Pole Near House Sparks Concern For Westchester Resident

When an alleged drunk driver slammed into a utility pole earlier this week, splitting the pole in half and sending a ball of fire flying, it was the last straw for Adam Kanzer.

Clinton Avenue in Dobbs Ferry.

Clinton Avenue in Dobbs Ferry.

Photo Credit: Google Maps street view

The same thing happened three months ago near Kanzer's home in Dobbs Ferry -- the same pole, only this time it was a teenage driver who lost control.

In fact, the roadway, Clinton Avenue, has seen the same type of crash five times in the past 18 years, said Village of Dobbs Ferry Mayor Bob McLoughlin. 

Those numbers don't make Kanzer, whose home sits near the pole, feel any better and says he has had it with excuses from public officials about why they can't install sidewalks to create a barrier from the home along the busy roadway.

"Both times, if these cars hadn't crashed into the pole, they would have continued down the hill and right into my kids' bedrooms, as I live at the end of a blind S-curve, so it's naturally where people lose control when drunk or speeding," Kanzer said. "Honestly, we're thinking of moving just over this one issue."

The mayor, who is well aware of the problem and says he received a real "earful" from the residents this week following the latest crash.

But fixing the issue isn't as easy as installing a sidewalk the mayor says.

"We have had a traffic study done, added new signage and changed the speed limit to 25 mph," he said. 

The results of the traffic study didn't warrant a need for a sidewalk, he said. "I grew up walking that street every day and know that it is busy, you have to be careful."

Kanzer doesn't think busy is the right word. He calls the street dangerous.

"Basically, Clinton Avenue is an extremely dangerous street, where cars routinely fly down it at insane speeds, resulting in the two incidents I just mentioned," he said. "For years, the residents of my street have been pleading with the mayor and the mayor before him to do something....put up speed bumps...cameras...give us sidewalks...anything to prevent an imminent disaster."

McLoughlin said the study just didn't find the need for additional action, but that doesn't mean he has given up on getting something done.

"I understand they are upset, but government moves slowly and it takes times to come up with solutions for these types of issues," he said. "As I said, perhaps it's time to take another look."

Kanzer and other residents are firm on some action taking place. 

"My street is filled with kids who walk to school and ride their bikes, and the number of near misses is so high, you wouldn't believe it, as we have no sidewalks," he said. "Despite our best efforts to get the mayor and the town to do something to address this incredibly unsafe situation, they seem willing to do nothing. Basically, we are just waiting for someone to get killed."

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