Lawmakers push to lower speed limit on accident-prone Elmont road

Residents and lawmakers are behind a push to lower the speed limit on a stretch of road that has seen some serious crashes in Elmont.

Dutch Broadway, which is near a number of parks and schools, was the scene where four teens were hit and injured last Halloween when a crash sent a car careening onto the sidewalk. Another child was hit by a car there in December.

"We wish we had school zone speed prior to Halloween day, but better late than never," says Sidney Garcon, who says one of her children was hit last fall.

The plan is to lower the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph on Dutch Broadway between Astor Street and Elmont Road during school hours. Officials say the Town of Hempstead will pass this next week. It will then go to Albany for approval.

Gabrielle White says the proposal is personal for her after being severely injured on the road.

"I was only 16 years old and I nearly lost my life. I had to fight for my life," says White. "Please, I ask everybody slow down. Be mindful and lets all continue working together on this initiative."

Officials say there's also a traffic study underway right now, which could lead to more changes on that stretch of road, possibly reducing the number of lanes in each direction.

Data from that study will be released at a meeting at the Elmont Memorial Library March 21.