what to know
Speed camera violations decreased by an average of 30%, with the most dramatic drop occurring on Houston Street in the East Village, where speeding decreased by 96%. In addition to the reduction in speeding, injuries also decreased. in the corridors of the city. Despite the alarming increases nationwideNew York City remains one of the safest cities to travel on foot.
NEW YORK — On Monday, New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez announced that speeding, injuries and traffic deaths have decreased in areas with speed cameras. during the first year of law enforcement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Speed camera violations decreased by an average of 30%, with the most dramatic drop occurring on Houston Street in the East Village, where speeding decreased by 96%. In addition to the reduction in speeding, injuries also decreased in city runners.
“A year ago we launched the 24/7 speed enforcement app, and the results are in: the program has reduced speeding, decreased the number of injuries, and made our streets safer,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez. “Speeding occurs more frequently at night and on weekends, and increased enforcement has been a very effective tool in keeping New Yorkers safe.”
One of the biggest benefits of the expanded application of speed camera enforcement has been the reduction in traffic fatalities in times that were previously unprotected. Since Mayor Eric Adams “flipped the switch” to start 24/7 speed camera monitoring, traffic deaths on city streets have decreased by 25% in areas speed cameras during extended hours. Previously, speed cameras could only legally operate Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Speeding decreased most steeply in the following locations*:
96 percent on Houston Street (Manhattan) 84 percent on Cropsey Avenue (Brooklyn) 74 percent on North Conduit Boulevard (Brooklyn) 79 percent on Seagirt Boulevard (Queens) 83 percent on Union Turnpike (Queens) 68 percent on Brucker Boulevard (Bronx)
(*Data as of 06/30/2023)
Following 24-hour operations, the New York City Department of Transportation also recorded strong declines in overnight and weekend traffic injuries at camera locations across the city, including a*:
45 percent reduction in injuries on Tremont Avenue (Bronx) 33 percent reduction on Kings Highway (Brooklyn) 19 percent reduction on Hylan Boulevard (Staten Island) 16 percent reduction on Queens Boulevard (Queens) 18 percent reduction percent on Amsterdam Avenue (Manhattan)
(*Data as of 07/31/2023)
24-hour speed camera enforcement began on August 1, 2022, thanks to a state law change signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The new law, Chapter 229 of 2022, was sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cities across the country experienced an increase in speeding, with a notable increase at night and on weekends. In New York City, motor vehicle occupant fatalities far outpaced all other modes of travel, with speed being cited as a major contributing factor in most crashes. To address rising speeding cases, the Adams administration called for state legislative action to allow 24/7 enforcement of speed cameras.
NYC DOT is committed to using all available tools to prevent reckless driving. Last year, several of the corridors with the most significant reductions in speeding and injuries also received safe street redesigns to calm traffic and improve safety for all road users.
Despite the alarming increases nationwide, New York City remains one of the safest cities to travel on foot. Excluding the anomaly of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic forced New Yorkers to shelter at home, the first half of 2023 has thus far been the safest year for pedestrians on record. With pedestrian fatalities declining by nearly 20 percent through the first seven months of 2023, New York City is experiencing historic declines in pedestrian fatalities.
“The numbers don’t lie: My bill to activate speed cameras 24/7 has saved lives,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “The 30% decrease in speeding we’ve seen means 30% more New Yorkers returning safely to their homes and a 30% increase in traffic safety on our streets. This progress toward Vision Zero is significant and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Albany, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez to continue this momentum.”
2023-08-30 02:35:01
#DOT #Speeding #Injuries #Traffic #Deaths #NYC
