The temperature is rising for people driving in Beacon, as tolerance from those walking, biking, or wheel-chairing is waning as drivers speed and disregard simple traffic rules. Reckless, selfish driving is on the fault of both local Beaconites, those from Hudson Valley communities passing through or doing business here, as well as visitors from further south who have their New York City vibes on when driving. As a former driver and resident of New York City, driving in order to survive the streets of NYC requires speeding and aggression. However, that style does not fly in Beacon or any town.

Locals need to listen up also. Driving from Beacon to Glenham on a daily basis has been an eye opening experience. Driving in Beacon has always been stressful, as people pass on the left (around a double yellow line) as well as around the white line. Crossing the white line is illegal, as confirmed by a Beacon police officer answering intake calls at the desk.

On Business Route 52, just outside of Beacon past the dog park, tire station, and the expansive Healey dealership, passing on the right is common if someone is turning left into the Family Dollar, for instance. However, people commonly walk on the narrow sidewalk or road space in between the white line. These people include senior residents with rolling walkers, senior residents rolling themselves in wheelchairs, students, employees of the Healey dealership, and anyone out for a leisurely stroll along a busy road.

Crossing the white line is illegal. Everyone does it - as it is very apparent on 9D on the way out of Beacon into Wappingers and up to Poughkeepsie. When passing the Chelsea apartments, if someone is turning left anywhere along 9D, people usually cross over the white line to pass.

To not pass a car waiting to turn left usually results in impatient drivers behind one’s vehicle, who will pass the white line from further behind, thereby surprising other stopped vehicles.

It is unknown how to stop this behavior, since usually people don’t blatantly break the law in front of a parked police car stationed there to enforce the law.