In the wake of a third crash at the dangerous hairpin-curve offramp of the Queensboro Bridge, the city Department of Transportation continued yesterday to blame bad driving as the cause of the accidents — two of which were fatal.
“NYPD reports suggest excessive speed appears to be the dominant factor,” said DOT spokesman Montgomery Dean, adding that the city has already installed speed-limit signs, flashing lights and rumble strips in an effort to slow drivers as they exit onto Queens Plaza South.
But two politicians questioned the agency’s commitment to safety in light of Saturday’s crash, when a speeding Volkswagen Rabbit careered into scaffolding and a livery car.
“There’s bad drivers all over the city, and you don’t get these dramatic accidents occurring at the exact same place,” said state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), who wants the DOT to re-examine the offramp’s configuration as well as traffic patterns at the intersection.
City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens) believes the bend should be straightened out.