Cuomo signs speed camera legislation

Say cheese!

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Thursday, August 1 that would authorize the Department of Transportation to install speed cameras near 20 schools citywide. The bill first passed the State Legislature on June 22.

“Speeding is a rampant problem in New York City. Walking to school should not be the riskiest part of the school day because speeding cars are breaking the law,” contended Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “Speeding drivers are the number one cause of fatal crashes in NYC, and motor vehicles are the leading cause of death due to injury amongst children in NYC. Child pedestrians account for three quarters of these victims.”

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said that parents across the city are thanking the governor. “These cameras will help protect our kids from one of the biggest dangers on our streets. Despite all the progress made to keep our roads safer, we still read each day in the headlines about another life lost because of speeding,” he said. “Camera enforcement of speeding around our schools will save lives and prevent crashes.”

Community advocates across the city have already begun advocating for one or more of the coveted speed cameras to be installed in their respective neighborhoods.

Stay tuned for more details.