City Implements New 'Slow Zones' At 13 Locations To Curb Speeding
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The city is expanding its campaign to stop speeding drivers cruising through the streets of the five boroughs.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced Tuesday the installation of "slow zones" in 13 neighborhoods, where the speed limit will be reduced to 20 mph.
One of the "slow zones" is in Corona, Queens, where in addition to the speed limits, drivers will meet with speed bumps and other street calming devices, CBS 2's Marcia Kramer reported.
"Slow zones send a strong message to drivers that our neighborhoods are not shortcuts and speeding on our streets is really a matter of life and death," Sadik-Khan told reporters, including 1010 WINS Stan Brooks.
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City officials said that 13 neighborhoods across the city will get slow zones. Corona was picked because it has two schools and is filled with kids and seniors.
A cross placed on a fence near where the mayor spoke stands in memory of a bicyclist who was killed by a speeding driver.
"Driving slow saves lives. It's been proven time and time again. That's why we have speed limits, we have speed limits for a reason. We have speed limits signs because we want them to be obeyed," said Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx).
The other locations where the slow zones will be implemented include: Mt. Eden, Baychester, Eastchester and Riverdale in the Bronx; Boerum Hill in Brooklyn; Inwood in northern Manhattan; Elmhurst, Jackson Heights/East Elmhurst and Auburndale in Queens; and New Brighton/St. George, Dongan Hills and Rosebank on Staten Island.
In addition to slow zones, the mayor wants to install speed cameras around the city and he's furious that the state Legislature won't give him the green light.
"The first argument is it's not their business, it should be the business of the city. The city should be in charge of its own destiny. That's why we had the revolution in 1776. There's no difference why should the city not be in charge of its own destiny," Bloomberg said.
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The city wants 40 speed cameras, which act much like red-light cameras, taking pictures of the license plates of speeders.
The fine would be $50 for going 10 to 29 miles over the speed limit and $100 for 30 and above.
The "speed camera" bill now has sponsors in both the state Senate and Assembly, but lawmakers haven't brought it up for a vote.
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