New York City

DOT, NYPD, TLC, elected officials announce 25 days to 25 mph campaign

October 15, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Mayor Bill de Blasio is counting down the days until the speed reduction. AP photo
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The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan and Taxi & Limousine Commissioner (TLC) Meera Joshi on Wednesday announced the city’s 25 Days to 25 mph campaign in advance of the new default speed limit lowering from 30 to 25 mph, taking effect Nov. 7.  The officials were joined by Transportation Chair Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, advocates and community members in Prospect Heights on Vanderbilt Avenue, a corridor with a current speed limit of 30 mph, which will be lowered to 25 mph.

“This is one of the most sweeping changes we can make to protect families and neighborhoods, but it all comes down to the individual choices and decisions each of us makes. In the 25 days before we lower the city’s speed limit, we will be out on the streets and on the airwaves to make sure New Yorkers understand how vital this change is,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“Going from 30 mph to 25 mph is not just a speed reducer—it is a life saver,” said Trottenberg. “We are embarking on a broad public awareness campaign in order to establish 25 mph into New Yorkers’ minds. Our leaders and communities are united in putting the brakes on the culture of excessive speeding and reckless driving in the city.” 

DOT and NYPD have already turned the focus of their joint Vision Zero Street Team efforts, which began this year, to the 25 mph campaign. The public outreach campaign for the new speed limit will be substantial and far reaching.  DOT has been in close contact with partners such as elected officials, Business Improvement Districts, Community Boards, community-based organizations, religious institutions and non-profits to help spread the word to their constituencies and audiences.

DOT will place ads and reminders for the new speed limit at the Staten Island Ferry terminals, at municipal parking lots, on its truck fleet and muni-meter receipts.  Variable message boards throughout the city will also display a message on the new law, thousands of mailings from the agency will carry the message, and at the end of the month, DOT and NYPD will conduct a citywide Day of Public Awareness, distributing hundreds of thousands of postcards to motorists at a dozen locations around the City. 

In addition, the TLC is taking a number of steps to ensure that taxi driver licensees are aware of the new 25 mph default speed limit in New York City. 

“This critical change in our traffic code will save countless lives and greatly increase safety all across the city,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

“Speed is too often a factor in preventable crashes where New Yorkers, particularly seniors and children are killed or injured. The reduction of New York City’s speed limit to 25 mph makes our streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists,” said Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo.

 

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