Larkin Bill Would Allow Town Boards To Change Local Speed Limits

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) is sponsoring legislation (S.906) in the New York State Senate that would give town boards the discretion to change local speed limits.

Senator Larkin said the bill would give town boards the authority to set reasonable speed limits and post traffic signs on state roads after demonstrating to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) that the change is needed for public safety purposes.

"Under current law, cities and villages have the authority to establish speed limits on state roads located within their jurisdiction, however, town governments do not have the same authority and are dependent on the judgment of DOT to set the rules of the road on state highways," explained Senator Larkin. "This is true even if town police have jurisdiction over all public safety issues pertaining to state highways. This bill would give the same ability to town governments that cities and villages have now."

Larkin added, "Sometimes, when a town makes a request for a speed limit change to DOT, the decision can take over a year. Yet, the road in question still remains dangerous all this time. This bill will give towns more flexibility to make the changes they know they need on their own local roads and ultimately help reduce accidents and injuries to people."