Proposed Law: Catch Drivers Going 5 MPH Over Speed Limit

Photograph by Mr. T in DC on Flickr

Did you know that a Staten Island Assemblyman co-sponsored legislation that would have cameras capture drivers who go 5 miles over the speed limit? According to the State Island Advance, "Violators convicted of traveling between five and 10 miles per hour more than the posted speed limit will be charged a $50 fine. Driving between 10 and 30 mph above the limit will result in a $75 fine that doubles to $150 for speeders who exceed 30 mph."

Apparently, the bill would "would allow cities in the state with a population of 1 million or more to test a program for five years that would place no more than 40 'speed-limit photo devices' at troubled intersections or roads, in an attempt to curtail speeding." State Assemblyman Matthew Titone said, "I will advocate to move it out of the transportation committee to the floor. It is a common-sense measure that can hopefully deter a tragedy."

Another co-sponsor is Staten Island's Lou Tobacco, who has received numerous complaints about speeding in residential neighborhoods, "At the end of the day, the law is the law. t’s better to have our police assigned to crimefighting and not traffic baby-sitting."

Yesterday, Transportation Alternatives revealed the most dangerous neighborhoods—the advocacy group has also plotted bicyclist and pedestrian accidents.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 18, 2011 5:54 PM

Comments [rss]

RammyH

I drive a lot more than I thought I would and it's 99% in and through residential neighborhoods.

I see no problem with this. Everybody thinks they're a great driver and everybody thinks they can speed - myself included. You can't ask citizens not to drive like jerks, you can only train them them through constant attacks on their wallets.

And it frees up cops to tackle serious crimes rather than manning speed traps all day.

William Mackay

Speeding for going 5mph over? What am I supposed to do, stare at the damned speedomoeter the whole time? 5 mph is absolutely ridiculous! Why not take care of all the drunk drivers on SI first? Anyone ever see a cab outside a Staten Island bar? Has anyone ever met a designated driver on SI, they're an urban legend right?

Br00klynian

Who are you kidding? We all know this is about revenue and not about safety. How esle do you think Bloomberg has quadrupled his billions since taking office? 50% for the city coffers and 50% into Bloomberg's account.

DC

It seems to work in very other Country in the World where they are installed, increasing road safety, but at the same time creating revenue. If you don't speed, you don't pay, this is for the drivers that think the speed limit isn't for them and are too stupid to notice a huge box on the side of the road with a camera inside of it. The data speaks for itself, increases in speed lead to a higher chance of a fatal accident, just 5mph can make a non-fatal accident into a fatal one. Especially if it happens to be Car vs. Pedestrian. I am dumbfounded as to why they haven't been introduced sooner.

incognito

These people need to obey their corporate bosses and shut the Eff up. We have enough things to worry about now they wanna tell people they can't be in a hurry. Bicyclist can pass you at 30mph.

BKPhil

Personally, I'd like to see the police shoot on sight those who speed down residential streets, but cameras plus fines would be a good start.

CKing13

Time to add a nice shiney reflective cover to my License Plate.

Br00klynian

Well when the law is finally passed that requires bicyclists to register their bicycles then I hope the 5 mph law is applied to these bicyclists who love speeding down the sidewalk.

DC

Cool story, bro.

dogbertt

I believe the photo shows 3rd Ave. in the 20s in Manhattan, not someplace in Staten Island.

And what the hell kind of name is "Tobacco" anyway?

Peanut_Butter

The kind that kinda rolls off the tongue.

Peanut_Butter

You beat me to it. I was gonna suggest a game of "Name That Block".

Peanut_Butter

Depending on the particular roadway, 5 mph over can be negligible or can be the difference between life and death.

Detex

good point, maybe it should be a 10-20% rule... 5mph is fast on the side streets but on the FDR or west side HW is nothing!

Peanut_Butter

If there was an efficient system of fair enforcement everywhere and all the time, I'm all for it.

As things stand, a cop stands on the side of the road, in the speed traps that all neighborhood speeders know about, and aims a speed gun all day long, then writes tickets which takes forever, and then takes time out to go to court to testify, after all is said and done, taxpayers money is wasted.

mistermarkdavis

More people will drive the speed limit or less and this will save lives. Every person complaining is one more person who will now drive more safely. The more complaints we hear the more important this is.

Justin Maller

In Victoria, Australia, motorists are fined for going as little as 3KPH (2MPH) over the speed limit. 5-10mph is reasonable.

birdicus

This is all over France. The GPS will warn the driver when the speed camera is near, just like the GPS does with red light cameras, the driver slows down for 5 seconds and then voila right back to speeding.

Peanut_Butter

did you use "voila" consciously?

whitecastlerock

Many of the roads in the outer boroughs resemble the surface of the moon-making speeding next to impossible without significant damage.