BILL NUMBER:S3372

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the administrative code of the city of
New York, in relation to signage in school speed zones

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to protect school children and other
pedestrian in New York City from traffic-related accidents by reducing
the speed in school zones and the creation of other speed zones.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 19-177(e) of the Administrative Code of the
City of New York to require that the posted signs at school zones will
include the reduced speed limit, flashing beacons, and a notice that
the speed limit is in effect when such beacons are flashing.

Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

Pedestrian safety has always been an important concern for New York
City residents, but recent data has given this issue special urgency.
According to the New York Times, 270 people died in New York City in
traffic-related incidents in 2012, with 148 of these victims being
              

pedestrians. This was the highest number of traffic-related fatalities
since 2008. These figures indicate a heightened risk to all City resi-
dents, but especially children. This bill is designed to protect the
most vulnerable members of our society, our children.

One factor that accounts for this risk is the insufficient number of
speed signs in school zones, which causes some people to forget that
they are driving in areas where children may be walking. According to
a publication of the Phoenix Street Transportation Department,
"research conducted throughout the country over several decades has
shown that drivers are influenced by the type of street and the
current traffic conditions, not the posted speed limit." This bill
seeks to change the feel of the streets that the most vulnerable
members of society use most often through the installment of traffic
calming devices. Once this bill becomes law, no one driving in a
school zone will be able to plead ignorance of the speed limit. The
Department of Transportation will be required to post speed limit
signs at every school zone.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-2014: S.4613 - Referred to Cities

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.