File #: Res 0235-2014    Version: * Name: Allow NYC’s speed cameras to operate at all times.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 5/14/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would allow New York City's speed cameras to operate at all times.
Sponsors: Carlos Menchaca, Margaret S. Chin, Corey D. Johnson, Stephen T. Levin, Rosie Mendez, Karen Koslowitz, Helen K. Rosenthal, James G. Van Bramer, Alan N. Maisel
Council Member Sponsors: 9

Res. No. 235

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would allow New York City’s speed cameras to operate at all times.

 

By Council Members Menchaca, Chin, Johnson, Levin, Mendez, Koslowitz, Rosenthal, Van Bramer and Maisel

 

Whereas, Speeding is a leading cause of traffic collisions, which are too common on the streets of New York City; and

Whereas, 286 people, including 168 pedestrians, were killed in traffic crashes in New York City in 2013 and “unsafe speed” was cited as a contributing factor in over 3,000 collisions that resulted in injuries or fatalities, according to Police Department data; and

Whereas, Many studies have concluded that the chances of a pedestrian surviving a motor vehicle collision decrease dramatically as the speed of the vehicle increases; and

Whereas, Slower speeds also decrease stopping distance, giving drivers a better chance to take action to prevent collisions from occurring in the first place; and

Whereas, In Washington D.C., at intersections where speed cameras are in use the number of crashes and injuries has gone down by 20%, according to the Vision Zero Action Plan; and

Whereas, In 2013, the State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, legislation authorizing New York City to implement a demonstration program in which it can use cameras to automatically enforce speeding laws at no more than 20 locations near schools, during school hours, for five years; and

Whereas, In a four-month period at the beginning of 2014, the five speed cameras in operation in the City caught 14,500 drivers going at least 40 miles per hour; and

Whereas, The State Legislature recently passed legislation which would allow speed cameras at up to 140 locations, but the restrictions on operation only near schools during school hours would not be changed; and

Whereas, Three-quarters of all traffic fatalities in New York City occur during the time between 6 PM and 6 AM, when State law prevents speed cameras from operating; and

Whereas, In the interest of safety, the City’s speed cameras should operate at all times; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would allow New York City’s speed cameras to operate at all times.

 

LS# 1242

5/8/2014

JM