Doris-Patt Smith Receives AAA Award:
Traffic Commission Chair Retires After 21 Years
by Judy Silberstein
 It takes significant fortitude and an abiding interest in
community safety to remain on the Village of Larchmont Traffic
Commission for any length of time. Doris-Patt Smith recently
stepped down after serving for twenty-one years, eleven as
chair. In recognition of her dedication, the Automobile Club
of New York awarded her its Individual Outstanding Achievement
Award at its annual traffic safety luncheon earlier this
month.
“I was so amazed,” said Smith. “It was
a nice surprise.”
The Automobile Club cited a number of efforts over the years,
including the replacement of all blinking yellow signals
with pedestrian-activated traffic signals, improved school-crossing
signs, and the centralized parking meters and smart cards
at the train station. Around Chatsworth School, children
continue to push the buttons to stop traffic and cross safely
at Larchmont and Chatsworth Avenues.
“Her most notable achievement was the ‘Visibility
at Intersections’ program,” commented the Automobile
Club. This program entailed education of residents and enforcement
of village ordinances to improve sightlines and safety at
intersections. In 2002, the Automobile Club honored the program
with its Innovative Practice award.
What has it been like on the Commission all these years?
Smith summarized humorously, “Requests for more stop
signs, requests for fewer stop signs; requests for no parking,
requests for more parking; lower the speed limit, raise the
speed limit.”
“Over the years there’s been an increase in
the number of cars in Larchmont, which increases the traffic
and parking crunch. I see these problems continuing,” she
said.
Taking over for Smith on the Traffic Commission is Christine
Randolph. “I knew from her first meeting that Christine
would be a good addition,” said Smith. “I gave
her a large box with all my papers and we’ve discussed
the recurring issues.”
The transition has been smooth, acknowledged the new Chair. “We’re
going to continue to uphold the safety standards that have
been set,” said Randolph.
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