Saving lives with more speed cameras

Last year, 230 New Yorkers died in traffic crashes – a record low, but a far cry from the New York City’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities. Fortunately, there is a proven method to crack down on the leading cause of traffic deaths: speed cameras at schools. It’s up to Albany to bring this life-saving tool, currently limited to a relative handful of locations, to all New York City school zones.

Speeding cars are the leading cause of traffic deaths in New York City, and the leading cause of injury-related death for kids ages five to 14. These deaths are not inevitable. Simply installing speed cameras at city schools can prevent dozens of deaths a year.

Unfortunately, Albany only allows speed cameras at 140 schools in New York City, and only allows those cameras to operate certain hours of the day, leaving children at the 1,800 other schools in New York City unprotected. The Legislature has the opportunity to step up and get rid of the cap on speed cameras, and in doing so, save lives. We urge them, in the strongest possible terms, to take it.

Speed cameras work. At the locations where they have been installed, the city Department of Transportation reports a 60 percent reduction in speeding violations. The punishment for speeding is far from draconian – speeding drivers face only a $50 fine and receive no points on their license.

The limited number of speed cameras is not enough to protect our children and achieve Vision Zero. Assemblywoman Deborah Glick has introduced a bill that will expand the speed camera program to every school in a smart, sensible way. New York City needs the legislature to take on this important reform. The safety of our children is on the line.

There is a broad coalition backing this change. Last Wednesday, we introduced a resolution calling on Albany to do the right thing and lift the cap on the number of speed cameras. Twenty-three members of the City Council and Public Advocate Tish James have co-sponsored the resolution. Transportation advocates and parents across the city support this change. It’s Albany’s turn. By passing this important legislation into law, the Senate and Assembly have the opportunity to save lives.

Jimmy Van Bramer is the majority leader of the New York City Council, representing parts of Queens. Vanessa Gibson is a City Council member representing parts of the Bronx. Brad Lander is a City Council member representing parts of Brooklyn.