Res. No. 50

Resolution calling upon the appropriate New York City agencies to coordinate a traffic safety plan in New York City that would identify intersections near senior citizen centers that are frequently used by senior citizens and require signs advising motorists to proceed cautiously.

By Council Members Nelson, Boyland, Lopez, Perkins, Oddo, Baez, Felder, Fidler, Foster, Jackson, Katz, Koppell, McMahon, Provenzano, Quinn, Reyna, Rivera, Sears, Stewart, Gallagher, Addabbo Jr., Gioia, Recchia Jr., Avella, Clarke and James

Whereas, Chapter 499 of the Laws of 1999 amended section 1642 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law to permit New York City to establish speed limits of between fifteen and twenty-five miles per hour on the streets of New York City for the explicit purpose of implementing traffic calming measures; and,

Whereas, Senior Citizens benefit from traffic calming measures; and

Whereas, Section 1642 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law provides that speed limits may only be reduced if conditions require comprehensive traffic calming measures that may include signage, but are not limited only to the installation of traffic signs; and

Whereas, Senior citizens in large numbers attend senior citizens centers and live in housing for the elderly, and in naturally occurring retirement communities; and

Whereas, The 48th Councilmanic Districts as well as many other parts of the City should be studied for inclusion in revised traffic calming plans; and

Whereas, Motorists should be advised that the pedestrian traffic at specific crossings will have large numbers of senior citizens; and

Whereas, In the 48th Councilmanic District of New York City as well as many other parts of the City, senior citizens would enjoy improved safety if signs advised motorists that the street crossings are near a senior citizen center and the pedestrians at these crossings are likely to be senior citizens; and

Whereas, Even if comprehensive traffic-calming measures are inappropriate at certain intersections, the City may add signs advising motorists that the street crossings are heavily used by senior citizens; now, there-fore, be it

Resolved that the appropriate New York City agencies coordinate a traffic safety plan in New York City that would identify intersections near senior citizen centers that are frequently used by senior citizens and require signs advising motorists to proceed cautiously.