By David Cruz

Getting caught off guard by the city’s alternate side schedule could be history if Councilman Andy Cohen gets his way. The freshman legislator serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Riverdale, has proposing a law adds extra signage to be placed along city streets, easing any further confusion or unintended bamboozling. 

After hearing constituent complaints that traffic signs were few and far between in some blocks, Cohen was compelled to introduce a bill that order the city Department of Transportation to place more signs every 100 feet for blocks longer than 200 feet. Preferably, the best sign can be placed in the middle of the street, according to Cohen spokesman Daniel Johnson.

“In some cases motorists would get out and may not see a sign for the visible distance and they just walk away not realizing that by the time they walk back to their car they parked illegally technically because of alternate side parking or maybe because a regulation was in place,” said Johnson.

By installing more signs, Cohen hopes his proposal can add uniformity to signage, providing greater visibility for drivers.

The bill would have to go through a Transportation Committee review. Johnson added that the bill has gained traction, with at least 11 members backing the measure, including Council members Andy King, Ritchie Torres and Annabel Palma. Should the bill garner enough attention, it will be under review by the panel. If passed, it would then be handed to the City Council for a vote. Should the measure be voted, DOT would also have to update its digital map, DOTMAP, to reflect the new signs.