Dear Speaker Silver,
The deaths of Nachman and Raizy Glauber, and their prematurely delivered son, were the result of the dangerous and reckless driving of a motorist who was estimated to be traveling at least twice the posted speed limit, or roughly 60 mph on a residential street.
Unfortunately, these types of crashes are all too common on New York City’s streets, and excessive speeding is an all-too-common cause.
This is why we are urging — no, begging — you to support and advance Assembly Bill 4327, a bill that would allow New York City to test a speed camera demonstration program. This pilot program would implement a maximum of 40 cameras throughout New York City, at locations where excessive speeding has been documented. In short, it would save lives.
In a time of increasingly austere budgets, this pilot program will allow existing law enforcement resources to be used as efficiently as possible while also ensuring our streets are safe from speeders who are breaking the law. That’s because speed cameras work.
Study after study has shown that speed cameras reduce speeding and ultimately save lives where implemented. According to a 2010 report, Speeding and Speed Enforcement, (via Transportation Alternatives), the reductions in the proportion of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph declined by up to 81 percent in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. In Scottsdale, Arizona, speeding over 10 mph was reduced by 88 percent but increased by 1,047 percent after the camera program was temporarily shut off.
New York City residents deserve similar results.
The time to act is now. Tragedies like the one that befell the Glauber family last week is just the latest indication that the time has come for the New York State Legislature to give New York City the tools it needs to effectively combat the ongoing public safety crisis on New York City streets.
Sincerely,
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
[…] A Call for Speed Cameras from Tri-State and Transportation Alternatives (MTR, News) […]
Some years ago I attended a prayer vigil for a family that was wiped out by a speeding tow-truck driver. Years later I marched to the local precinct when another family was wiped out by a drunk and speeding police officer. Recently I attended a funeral for a young man hit by three cars while he crossed the street.
It is passed time to use this proven technological advancement in NYC(although I doubt it would have saved any of the above).
To achieve this an appeal must be made directly to the driving public for their support. A public discourse is needed with this large and vital group who are assumed to be utterly opposed. Convincing arguments to THEIR self-interest–common safety and that of their loved ones–are possible. Appealing to any others won’t deliver the needed bulk of support to persuade NYS elected officials.
Remember that the numbers of dead and seriously injured on our roads has dropped substantially over the years proving almost all drivers are open to this safer travel.
[…] Levin and Van Bramer announced their support for speed cameras on Tuesday. Their announcement sends a message to Albany that New York City’s leaders want safer […]
[…] Benevolent Association to lobby against the provision because he believes, despite the facts, that only cops on the street can tame […]
[…] NYS Assembly passed the bill. Now, all eyes are on the Senate. Last year’s efforts to authorize 20 cameras in New York City were often contentious, but this year’s legislative effort has been smoother, thanks in part to […]