Us New Yorkers are always on the go moving a mile a minute–after all, we are the city that never sleeps–but you know what’s not always moving a mile a minute? Our cars.
One year ago on August 1, 2022, around-the-clock speed camera enforcement was implemented in NYC due to a change in state law enacted by Governor Kathy Hochul, and the city has seen a 30% decrease in vehicular speeding violations since.
The most dramatic results of speed cameras was seen on Houston Street in the East Village, where speeding declined by 96% in a 12 month period.
Beyond Houston Street, speeding dropped the steepest at the following locations:
- 84% on Cropsey Avenue (Brooklyn)
- 74% on North Conduit Boulevard (Brooklyn)
- 79% on Seagirt Boulevard (Queens)
- 83% on Union Turnpike (Queens)
- 68% on Bruckner Boulevard (Bronx)
And while speeding went down, safety went up–according to the NYC DOT traffic fatalities and injuries on city streets dropped by 25% in speed camera zones during extended hours.
“One year ago we launched 24/7 speed camera enforcement, and the results are in: the program has reduced speeding, decreased the number of injuries, and made our streets safer,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.
“Speeding happens most often on nights and weekends, and expanded enforcement has been a highly effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe,” added Rodriguez.
Before round-the-clock operation of the speed cameras, they only operated on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Though the onset of COVID-19 brought about an increase in speeding in cities across the nation, most often overnight and on weekends.
In NYC specifically motor vehicle fatalities far outpaced all other travel modes, with speed cited as a major contributing factor in most crashes.
Beyond enforcing 24/7 speed camera enforcement to combat the rising instances of speeding, NYC DOT also implemented safe street redesigns to calm traffic and improve safety throughout a number of NYC’s corridors.
Despite alarming national increases, NYC remains one of the safest cities to travel by foot. The first half of 2023 has been the safest year for pedestrians ever on record, and the city is seeing historic declines in pedestrian deaths.
“The numbers don’t lie: my bill to turn speed cameras on 24/7 has saved lives,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “The 30% decrease in speeding we have seen is 30% more New Yorkers who make it home safely to their families, and a 30% rise in traffic safety on our streets,” added Gounardes.
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* This article was originally published here