State assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell introduced a bill last week that would set a new New York City speed limit of 20 miles per hour, versus the current limit of 30 mph. The City Council could make exceptions to the limit for certain areas, as long as there’s a sign alerting drivers.
O’Donnell is responding to a recent spate of pedestrian deaths on the Upper West Side — three pedestrians have been killed in just the past week and a half (when O’Donnell presented the bill, the third crash hadn’t yet occurred).
He notes that pedestrians hit by slower-moving vehicles tend to sustain less serious injuries:
“Last week, two tragedies in my district emphasized for me the overwhelming need to change traffic laws and prevent traffic fatalities in New York City. Already this year, in just over two weeks, there have been seven pedestrian deaths due to traffic accidents, including the death of a child. That horrific fact is why today I introduced A8478, which changes the New York City administrative code to set the city’s official speed limit at 20 miles per hour except where the City Council determines a different speed limit is appropriate.
Studies have shown that pedestrians hit at speeds of 20 and lower have a dramatically higher chance of surviving an accident than those hit at speeds of 30 and above. I hope my bill will change the devastating rate of traffic deaths in the city, and contribute to Mayor de Blasio’s “Vision Zero” plan to prevent unsafe driving and end traffic fatalities.”
The other issue, of course, is that the city would need to actively enforce the laws. Currently, speeding tickets are rarely issued. In the 24th precinct, there was just one issued in all of December, and 58 for the year.
Photos via bogelo and O’Donnell’s office.
As a pedestrian, cyclist and driver, I whole-heartedly support the 20mph proposal. But, as the article clearly states, enforcement is key. It’s amazing how often we see cars/trucks/cabs racing to the next red light. If the speed limit is 20, that means 20 is the maximum speed rather than the suggested limit.
A kickback for cabbies? Yup. Oh, sir, I can’t *go* no faster! They would of course prefer 2 mph.
As a pedestrian, cyclist and driver, I find this proposal unenforceable and silly. We need less impediments to the flow of traffic. The only answer to slowing down vehicles is highly visible (i.e. painted bright yellow or white) speed barriers. I just returned from St. Maarten and they’re everywhere along the main roads. They’re a real pain, to be sure, but effective.
But isn’t the real answer curbing pedestrian jaywalking? 4 way stop lights for pedestrians to cross all corners at the same time? And targeted enforcement of cabs that jump lights, make illegal turns, etc? Most traffic accidents up here on Broadway involve cabs.
Well, I applaud your confidence (and welcome back from the Caribbean getaway!)
For less impediments to the flow of traffic, we could also tackle cars and trucks that double-park, especially in front of an empty parking space; or drivers who block the box at intersections or nose out into red lights. I’d love to see that and I believe it would help traffic quite a bit.
But are we really going to quibble over which would be more beneficial for the general public or enforceable on the streets of the Upper West Side: the (any) speed restrictions for drivers, versus jaywalking bans? I feel like I’m in Bizarro World.
“Most traffic accidents up here on Broadway involve cabs.” What is the source of your information? As I recall, of all the recent spate of cars striking pedestrians, only one involved a cab. My own experience is that cab drivers are generally safe, even careful, about what they do for a living.
I agree that speed bumps would be an effective way to enforce speed limits. I have seen these referred to in Jamaica as “Sleeping Policemen”; our “awake” police are either unwilling or, by virtue of reduced numbers, unable to police the speed of traffic, so why not simply install humps of poured concrete to motivate drivers to slow down?
A speed bump was installed a year or so ago on East 85th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues, which is the approach corridor for the 86th Street Transverse. It’s remarkable how effective it has been in slowing down the traffic on what is a residential block.
This would be an excellent one-time capital investment in infrastructure, not requiring any further personnel costs. So why not do this wide-spread on the UWS, especially in those areas fraught with traffic injuries??
Actually, I think that the speed bump on East 85 is between Park and Madison. If it’s good enough for them, shouldn’t it be good enough for us??
One issue is, DOT never puts speed bumps on bus, truck, or emergency vehicle routes. Google “speed bump NYC bus route,” and their guidelines come up. Maybe live or automated enforcement is the only way.
FYI folks here are the law section numbers, see section B.
It is also illegal in New York to step off a curb the moment the light starts blinking red. But it is rarely enforced and
even when it is, the fine is $50.
§ 1151. Pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks. (a) When
traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver
of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if
need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a
crosswalk on the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, except
that any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian
tunnel or overpass has been provided shall yield the right of way to all
vehicles.
(b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety
and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is
impractical for the driver to yield.
(c) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any
unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross
the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear
shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
The problem on UWS is that the police do not enforce current laws. West End Ave. is supposed to be a “no commercial vehicle” street. Now it’s loaded with all sorts of trucks and has been turned into a highway. The polce used to regularly stop trucks, give them tickets and force them to wait long periods of time — money loosing for the truckers. Nw the street is a free-for-all and people are gettigng killed.
This is much needed and terrific idea. I’m both a pedestrian and driver in the area and always shocked at how fast drivers go (I’ve seen people trying to make lights going at what looks to be even 40 mph on Broadway.)
If the City installed speed bumps on those streets where this is most prevalent, some drivers would *still* race to make the light.
But only once.
After that, the costs to repair their suspensions will persuade them to slow down.
It won’t mean anything unless it is enforced.
Good for assembly Member O’Donnell! Slower traffic not only means less injuries but it allows the driver more time to react to a danger on the street. That being said, jay walking is out of hand. People pop out into the roadway from between parked cars, from behind trucks and run across the street trying to get across after the light changes. Then there are the bicyclists who seem to ignore any and all traffic patterns and laws. We need massive enforcement on all levels until both drivers and pedestrians are retrained to obey the law.
Aren’t there speed bumps on 95 th St by the school area?
How are they working out?
Also, police is always stopping cars on 95 St. when they come off the highway & think 95St. is double lane.
“Studies have shown that pedestrians hit at speeds of 20 and lower have a dramatically higher chance of surviving an accident than those hit at speeds of 30 and above.”
So let me see if I understand. The goal is not to stop hitting pedestrians, but rather to not hit them quite as hard. Makes sense to me.