The New York City’s Neighborhood Slow Zone program has been expanded, according to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. This program works to reduce the speed limit in high-risk residential neighborhoods from 30 mph to 20 mph. The program also helps by adding traffic calming measures to reduce speeding in the area and to improve safety for pedestrians.
This program is used to build on NYC’s tough efforts to reduce speeding in the area. These efforts have helped to bring down the number of traffic fatalities to the lowest recorded levels in 2011. There are nearly 15 new areas that will be getting these Slow Zones. Right now, they’re all in the approval and design process. They were all requested through applications and will be evaluated by their history of accidents and proximity to schools, daycare centers and senior living facilities. With more pedestrians, the risks for these kinds of accidents are much higher!
Our New York City pedestrian injury attorneys understand how beneficial this program has been in reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities in particular. The recent announcement of the expansion of this program was made in Carona, Queens, according to a New York City Government Press Release. This is one of the communities in the area that drivers use as a short-cut. It’s also an area overflowing with pedestrian traffic.
“We’ve seen success already where we have installed Slow Zones and we expect safety will improve as speeding is reduced in these communities,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
By just reducing the speed limit for vehicular traffic by 10 mph, lives can be saved. With each mile that a vehicle is traveling in the event of an accident, a pedestrian’s risk for serious injury and even death increase.
In the area, speeding is the number one cause of car accidents. In many of these accidents, bicyclists and pedestrians are the ones who suffer much of the consequences of this dangerous and irresponsible driving habit.
Selected for the Slow Zone Expansion:
-Staten island
-Rosebank
-Dongan Hills
-New Brighton/St. George
-Auburndale
-Jackson Heights/East Elmhurst
-Elmhurst
-Corona
-Inwood
-Boerum Hill
-Riverdale
-Eastchester
-Baychester
-Mt. Eden
These zones are marked by a blue gateway at all streets that go into the designated area. Signs line the roads displaying the 20 mph speed limit. Speed bumps are also used to slow drivers down along with “20 MPH” painted on the street.
Drivers are asked to be cautious of pedestrians in the area. We’re known for having some of the most traveled roadways by pedestrians. When driving through residential areas or near school zones, we’re asking driver to be on the lookout for our walkers. With safe and alert driving habits, we can help to protect our friends, family members and others who choose to walk to where they need to be. Remember, pedestrians stand virtually no chance against the size and power of our motor vehicles.
If you have been involved in an accident, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
Illegal Driving Causing Majority of Fatal Traffic Accidents in New York, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, August 14, 2012
Local Teens Fight Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in the Bronx — And Win!, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 15, 2012
