Traffic Enforcement
Streetsblog Basics
Steve Matteo and NY1: A Speed Camera Is Working, So Vision Zero Is a Scam
Speeding is the leading cause of fatal traffic crashes in New York City, and with unreliable police enforcement, cameras are essential to protecting New Yorkers from reckless drivers. Data released last summer showed that 20 speed cameras, covering a tiny fraction city streets, issued roughly as many speeding tickets in one month as NYPD did in six months.
January 9, 2015
NYPD Work Slowdown Shows How Much Rank-and-File Care About Vision Zero
For at least two weeks, the number of summonses issued and arrests made by police officers across the city has dropped precipitously. For victimless offenses like drinking alcohol in public, the decline in ticketing may serve as an interesting natural experiment in whether "broken windows" policing is really effective. But for motor vehicle violations like speeding and failure-to-yield, the drop in enforcement is putting people's lives at risk.
January 7, 2015
So Far Suburban Opposition to Safety Cameras Isn’t Playing in NYC
Well, that was quick. Two nascent safety camera programs on Long Island have been shut down, despite demonstrable success in Nassau, after elected officials turned tail in response to complaints from law-breaking motorists. Meanwhile, red light cameras in New Jersey were turned off this week after that state's five-year demonstration failed to secure renewal in the legislature.
December 17, 2014
Long Island Pols Backtrack on Speed Cams, Play Politics With People’s Lives
With a presumed re-election bid coming in 2015, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has determined his political career is more important than people's safety.
December 9, 2014
Motorist With Now-Expired NYC Disability Placard Still Blocking Curb Ramp
And now back to Seaman Avenue. A few weeks ago we noted that motorists who obtain disability permits from the city can basically park wherever they want, even in "no parking" zones with curb ramps for pedestrians with disabilities. An unmarked crosswalk at Seaman and W. 214th Street, in Inwood, is a favorite spot for placard bearers, whether their parking credentials are legitimate or not.
November 25, 2014
States That Ban Traffic Safety Cams Put Their Own Residents’ Lives at Risk
In Ohio, lawmakers are now poised to outlaw traffic safety cameras, needlessly obstructing efforts to save lives. Similar bills were taken up this year in statehouses in Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri. According to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, 12 states have laws that forbid speed cameras under most circumstances.
November 25, 2014
Precinct Where Drivers Killed Seniors in Crosswalks Ramps Up Bike Tickets
If you're an NYPD precinct commander interested in issuing lots of tickets to cyclists in a short period of time, the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge bike path is a tempting place to send your officers. While the intersection itself has fewer crashes than other parts of the neighborhood, the regular stream of cyclists funneling to and from the bridge path makes for easy pickings.
November 21, 2014
Chinatown Biz Group Fed Up With Placard Parkers Hogging Spaces All Day
Imagine if your neighborhood's streets were used as an employee parking lot for a nearby office building, and the people in charge of enforcing the rules turned a blind eye, day in and day out, as they ticketed members of the public but ignored lawbreaking by their colleagues.
November 19, 2014
Nassau Democrat Campaigns Against Speed Cams in Bid for Senate Seat
Adam Haber, a Democrat challenging incumbent Republican State Senator Jack Martins in Nassau County, is out with a new attack ad blasting his opponent for supporting speed cameras.
October 31, 2014
Motorist With NYC Disability Placard Blocks Curb Ramp With Car — Legally
I've taken up the early morning walk habit, and my route takes me through the intersection of Seaman Avenue and W. 214th Street, in Inwood. It's a T intersection with an unmarked crosswalk and curb cuts.
October 30, 2014