STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa announced he would support legislation that could bring speed bumps or cushions to speed camera locations across the five boroughs.
Sliwa, the Republican candidate for New York City mayor, joined councilmembers David Carr and Frank Morano, both Republicans who represent the Mid-Shore and South Shore of Staten Island, respectively, and activist Scott LoBaido to support the legislation during a press conference on Friday.
“What this piece of legislation would do is create some real street safety for Staten Island, for Brooklyn, and for really all the five boroughs,” said Carr. “We have had an inundation of speed cameras throughout our city, and in particular, here in Staten Island.”
The legislation would require the New York City Department of Transportation to study over time every location of speed cameras for the feasibility of a speed reducer — such as speed humps, speed cushions, or raised crosswalks — and install them where feasible. Currently, the transportation department prohibits the placement of speed reducers in close proximity to speed cameras, the elected officials stated.
The legislation was introduced by Councilmember David Carr, shown here.(Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)
“This is the one way to guarantee safety in the 350 neighborhoods that make up the five boroughs of the city of New York, but not pick the pockets of the taxpayers,” said Sliwa. “I want to salute Staten Island, because you lead. As mayor, I’m going to get the other boroughs to follow, even those boroughs where there’s a war on people who drive four-wheel vehicles. I am going to explain that this really answers the dilemma of providing the safety, but not picking the pockets of the residents who pay too much taxes to begin with. That’s why the cost of living is so high, all these fees and fines and taxes, speed cameras, red light cameras — it’s too much.”
Speeding issues
Carr explained that his predecessor, former Councilmember Steve Matteo, requested speed reducers on Victory Boulevard, outside PS 26 in Travis — which is where Friday’s press conference was held. Carr pointed to cars speeding down Victory Boulevard outside the school, despite two speed cameras just blocks away.
“When I had taken over to succeed him [Matteo], and we were told that the speed reducer, in this case, a speed cushion, could not go in front of the school, because it would be too close to a speed camera. Because under the rules of the speed camera program, there needs to be a certain distance between any camera and any kind of speed reducer. That is something that is set in DOT rules, and that’s something that needed to be changed.”
The legislation was co-sponsored by Councilmember Frank Morano, shown here.(Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)
Morano, a co-sponsor of the bill, explained that speed reducers slow down drivers, particularly at dangerous intersections.
‘Best of both worlds’
“This bill is the best of both worlds,” said Morano. “This is a way to make clear that this is not a cash grab, and this is a way to make clear that this city is serious about pedestrian safety. If the goal is truly safety, then slowing cars down should be the first priority. A camera that issues a ticket after the fact doesn’t stop a tragedy in real time, a speed hump will.”
LoBaido noted that people slow down for speed cameras, because they know all the locations, but will immediately speed up once they drive past.
“This is about safety, because people do not slow down for these cameras,” said LoBaido. “They slow down for a speed bump.”
Carr added that this legislation is for supporters and opponents of speed cameras — because it will make people drive slower in places that need it the most, while also keeping speed cameras in place.
“This is something that should unite critics of the speed camera program and lovers of it. We can all get behind this. I give credit to Curtis that he is willing to support a common sense idea like this,” said Carr.
When asked about the proposed legislation, the DOT did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
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